Land allotment scam: Gujarat CM orders probe against two senior IAS officers

Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has ordered an inquiry against two senior IAS officers who were posted in Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation(GIDC) until recently, in connection with irregularities allegedly committed in allotment of land worth Rs 300 crore to two companies. A release issued by the information department on Saturday evening said the government had received complaints against top GIDC officers in allotment of land to NSP infrastructure limited and Icchapore, Surat and transfer of land from Hydrocarbon and Power SEZ LTD to MRF Ltd in Vilayat Industrial Estate in Vliayat, Bharuch.

The press statement doesn’t mention names of the IAS officers under scanner but they are believed former Additional Chief Secretary(ACS), Industry and Mines, Arvind Agrawal and former Managing Director of Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation(GIDC) Manoj Aggarwal. Both were transferred from their posts likely due to allegations of corruption.

The Chief Minister had asked Chief Secretary JN Singh for inquiry which was handed over to D Thara and PK Taneja. Prima facie violation of policy, favour to particular industries and Rs 300 crore loss to the state exchequer was found. Further inquiry has been now handed over to retired IAS officer and former Chief Dr Manjula Subhramaniam and report has been sought in two months period.

DeshGujarat