A TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION-I

Chandigarh skyline in dangerA 19-tower TATA Housing Project backed by Punjab’s political bigwigs and soaring above Sukhna Lake will

dwarf Le Corbusier’s Capitol Complex and mar the City Beautiful

Ruchika M. KhannaTribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 16Chandigarh’s beauty and its heritage are at risk of getting lost amidst the financial gains that its “protectors” are now looking at. With 129 politicians — MLAs and MPs (both serving and former representatives) — from Punjab having joined hands with a leading real estate development company to come up with the tallest housing project in the state at Kansal village, right in the backyard of Chandigarh, the city's skyline will be marred, its view of the Shivaliks blocked and its green cover endangered.

Though the edict of Chandigarh clearly states that there is to be no development in the north of the Capitol Complex, the Punjab government has gone ahead and given all required clearances to Tata Housing Development Corporation (THDC) to set up an integrated mixed use project, Camelot, having 1734 apartments in 19 multi-storey towers (each tower having anything between 12 and 35 storeys). These towers will come up within area, which falls in Punjab, but is just a little over a kilometre from the Capitol Complex.

The Shivalik range forms the backdrop of the Capitol Complex. The Punjab and Haryana Secretariat, the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Assembly building were sensitively planned by the city’s architect, Le Corbusier, against the backdrop of these hills. The north –south roads of the city were specifically planned to provide an uninterrupted view of the hills, while travelling in the north direction. Leaving the hills in their natural state was meant to provide Chandigarh’s residents constant access to nature in its pristine beauty. Thus, it was decided that the city would have a 16 km green buffer, and no construction would be allowed in this periphery of the city.

This project, proposed to be spread over 53.39 acres, with a residential area of 42.29 acres and commercial area of 11.1 acres, is also next to the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. Though residential areas around a sanctuary are not illegal, but a project of this huge size will lead to high human population and vehicular traffic, which is likely to affect wildlife in the sanctuary. Since this project also falls in the Sukhna catchment area, it will have an impact on the Sukhna Lake, as it would increase soil erosion in the area and silt deposition in the Lake.

TATA’s Camelot

Housing and Commercial

Project, Kansal, Mohali, Punjab

THE BENEFICIARIES

The 129 politicians of Punjab, who were part of the Punjab MLAs Housing Society, are being given a four bedroom flat plus Rs 82.50 lakh each. Of the 90 beneficiary MLAs, 70 are from Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and 20 from Congress. Eight of these MLAs are presently ministers in the SAD- BJP government (four each from the two coalition partners). The prominent members of the society include members of the Badal family, Manoranjan Kalia, Bibi Jagir Kaur, former Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha Charanjit Singh Atwal and Cong MP Perneet Kaur.

Though this high rise project in Punjab area will change the entire landscape, yet, no one, other than the Chandigarh administration, is objecting to this violation in the city’s periphery. Since politicians, cutting across political parties are beneficiaries in this project, there is no voice of dissent on the irregularities involved. Significantly, the land where Camelot is being developed, was initially allotted to two societies — the Punjab MLAs Housing Society and the Defence Services Society. While the first society has 129 members, including 90 MLAs and MPs (presently in office as well as former MPs), the Defence Services Society, too, has many VIPs as its members, including some top bureaucrats, police officials and politicians.

The MLAs Society had reportedly sold its land to THDC for Rs 106 crore and in turn all these MLAs have been allotted a 4 BHK flat plus a bonanza of Rs 82.5 lakh in cash. Interestingly, each of these 129 members had bought this land for just Rs 15 lakh (per kanal). The members of the Defence Services Society, too, have been promised a flat each, after they sold off 31 acres of land to THDC for Rs 125 crore. With all policy makers on board with THDC on this project, the project has got all necessary clearances from the local bodies department of Punjab. The only thing it now requires is an environment clearance from the Environment Impact Assessment Committee. This issue is pending as some members of the committee are to be appointed by the state government.

The Punjab Local Bodies Minister, Manoranjan Kalia, however, is unfazed. “All site plans in the periphery area have been approved as per the policy formulated by the government and approved under the Master Plan of the area. As the population grows and land becomes a constraint, the urbanisation has to be vertical,” he told TNS.

Rajiv Dash, head, marketing, THDC, when contacted by TNS said that there was no illegality involved in the project. “Tatas is a very conscientious group and we always go by the law of the land. We are going ahead with this project only after we have fulfilled all legal requirements,” he said.

ChandigarhAdministration has objected to this violation of the New Capital Periphery Control Act by the Punjab government. The Punjab and Haryana High Court is taking cognisance of the issue. Meanwhile, THDC’s broker has gone ahead with a pre-launch of phase I of the housing project. Investigations by The Tribune have revealed that the broker for THDC, RMC (India) Infrastructure Ltd., has already sold off over 80 per cent of the 1000 units to be constructed in the first phase. The pre-launch offer closed yesterday, with the company selling two and three bedroom, hall and kitchen (BHK) flats at the rate of Rs 8000 per square meter. The prospective buyers have reportedly deposited Rs 10 lakh as initial amount. Incidentally, THDC officials say that this pre launch booking has been done by the broker, as a build up to the formal launch of the project. “We are not involved in the pre launch offer. But since in North India, developers tend to go by the investor segment, the broker could have come up with the pre launch offer,” said Rajiv Dash.

Camelot is by far the most expensive project to have been launched in this region, and most of the units have been sold off during the pre launch itself. RMC Infrastructure is so far unwilling to disclose as to when they will launch the phase II (which will have 700 units of 4 and 5BHK flats), but company officials say that the price for these will be revised. (To be concluded)

CHANDIGARH SKYLINE IN DANGER: A TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION-II

How the land was hawkedPunjab politicians picked up land cheap and then used their

clout to push the controversial TATA housing project through Ruchika M. Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 17The sordid tale of the plans to build a 19 tower housing project of the Tatas, which would irreparably damage Chandigarh’s pristine skyline as it soars above Sukhna Lake (reported in our columns yesterday), owes its origin to a deal between the Punjab MLAs Housing Society and Defence Services Society with the Tata Housing Development Company.

It’s a story of how as many as 129 politicians – MLAs and MPs (both serving and former representatives) made a killing by investing Rs 15 lakh each, and getting a return of Rs 2.62 crore (flat worth RS 1.80 crore and Rs 82.5 lakh cash), in less than a decade.

The story goes back to the 1990s, when each of the 129 elected representatives from Punjab – 90 MLAs and serving and some former MPs, wanted to get a chunk of land in or around the city. Thus the Punjab MLAs Housing Society was formed over a decade ago (around 1998), and they started looking for land to set up a group housing society. Since a property next to the Sukhna Lake adds to the snob value, the Society started looking for land in the vicinity of the Lake, the Assembly and Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Investigations made by The Tribune reveal that this society identified 22 acres of land in Kansal village for the purpose. Though this land was originally the shamlat deh land (village common land), it was partitioned between the original land owners of the village, who then sold off the land individually, to the Punjab MLAs Housing Society.

This partition of land was reportedly also okayed by the Director Land Records and Consolidation, as per the provisions of the law. It is learnt that each of the MLAs paid Rs 15 lakh per one kanal of plot, and the land is estimated to have been bought for Rs 3.30 crore. The land bought was also bought by the Defence Services Society (31 acres) from the villagers at similar rates (Rs 4.65 crore).

And what a sound investment it has turned out to be. Around the year 2006, when the Tata Housing Development Company (THDC) was trying to make a strong foothold in the luxury real estate segment, and enter the booming Chandigarh realty market, it entered into a deal with the Punjab MLAs Society and another housing society adjacent to this site, Defence Services Society (incidentally, this society has several bureaucrats, politicians and police officers as its members). THDC reportedly bought the land from the Punjab MLAs Society for Rs 106 crore, and from the Defence Services Society for Rs 125 crore.

Not that it is a bad deal for THDC. With the company seeking a price of Rs 8000 – Rs 9000 per square meter for each of the 1000 flats that it proposes to sell in the phase I, and a likely upward revision of prices for the next 734 flats it will sell in phase II, the company will definite make a huge profit on its total investment of Rs 1800 crore here.

The Tribune has already highlighted how these 19 high rise towers (each having 12- 35 storeys) will mar the beauty and heritage status of Chandigarh. Coming up just over a kilometer from the Capitol Complex, this project, Camelot, by THDC has been given all necessary clearances by Punjab, including the approval of its building plans. This even as the project, spread over 53.39 acres, falls within the north of Chandigarh, where all development is banned.

Since Camelot is very close to the Sukhna Wildlife sanctuary, the expansive human population and vehicular traffic it will generate will definitely impact the wildlife in the sanctuary. Since this urbanization is being planned without the civil infrastructure of the village in place, it will also lead to unorganized development in this ecologically fragile and seismic zone.

(To be concluded) 

THE BIG THREATS TO CHANDIGARH

Tata’s Camelot project has been allowed to come up within the 16 kms green buffer zone (periphery of Chandigarh), which is in violation of the New Capital Periphery Control Act, as development is banned in this area. 

The Shivalik foothills is an ecologically fragile area, and construction here would only escalate the soil erosion, which would lead to increase silt deposition in the Sukhna lake, apart from marring the skyline.

Both the Naya Gaon master plan and the Jurong Master Plan for greater Mohali area development had specifically noted that no high rise buildings can be built in the foothills of Shivaliks. But the project is using a loophole as it falls within the municipal limits of Naya Gaon Notified Area Committee which permits highrises.

This area falls within the seismic zone, which finds a mention in the Naya Gaon master plan and the project has to be cleared from that angle.

This project is also adjacent to the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. The high population and vehicular traffic it will generate will impact the wildlife here.

CHANDIGARH SKYLINE IN DANGER: A TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION - IIITHIS IS HOW THE RULES WERE BENT

With top politicians as members, the Punjab Government gave special treatment to the Tata housing project, using loopholes to permit 19 towers apart from ensuring two convenient approach

roads from ChandigarhRuchika M. Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 18Having all top politicians in the state on board for the Camelot project of the Tata Housing Development Company (THDC) has apparently been a wonderful business proposition for the real estate developer. With 129 peoples’s representatives (both serving as well as former MLAs and MPs) as beneficiaries of the project, the company has ensured that its USP of being in the backyard of the lake with the Shivaliks forming its backdrop, yields a great response from investors.

With both Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia being members of Punjab MLAs Housing Society (which sold its 22 acre land to THDC in return for a flat and Rs 82.50 lakh cash to each of its members), not only has the state government expedited all clearances required to sell the project, but it is now also facilitating the project by proposing easy and shorter access to the Camelot site.

Over the past two days, The Tribune has been highlighting how the multi-storey highrise project by THDC will mar the skyline of Chandigarh. The project is not only violative of the New Capital Periphery Control Act, which bans development in the 16-km buffer zone around Chandigarh, but it will also impact wildlife in the neighbouring Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. It is being constructed in the ecologically fragile foothills of the Shivaliks and could lead to excess soil erosion.

The state government now plans to construct a 30-metre wide road from Kaimbwala village in Chandigarh, passing through Kansal village, touching Khuda Alisher village (in Chandigarh) right up to the villages of Nada and Mullanpur. The alignment of this road, when constructed, will not only be along the Camelot project site in Kansal village, but also adjacent to the land owned by several other top politicians of Punjab, making it more accessible to Chandigarh and, thus, leading to a higher price valuation of the land owned by them. Punjab has reportedly already asked the Chandigarh Administration to allow road construction in its (UT) area.

Another access road is envisaged to link the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat to the above mentioned 30 feet wide road. This 18 feet wide road, right from behind the Secretariat, is proposed to be constructed through a residential society in Kansal village and will culminate after aligning with the above-mentioned road. Interestingly, the point of culmination of this road is near the commercial site proposed in the Nayagaon Notified Area Committee. A top Punjab politician reportedly owns this chunk of land, which will be used for wholesale and retail trade, hotels, restaurants, offices and cinema halls.

Investigations made by The Tribune reveal that the Punjab government went ahead and bent rules to ensure that there was no legal incumberance whatsoever regarding the Camelot project, before it was launched and sold. Though both the Nayagaon master plan and the master plan initially made by Singapore based consultancy Jurong International said that no high rise buildings could be built in the Shivalik foothills, the Camelot project site was included in the Nayagaon NAC, where high rises are allowed under the municipal laws.

The local bodies department of Punjab also went about manipulating and circumventing the edict of Chandigarh, banning all development in the North of the Capitol Complex. Since construction of high rise building within a one kilometer radius of Capitol Complex is banned, the officials decided that instead of the Capitol Complex, they would measure

the distance from the eastern edge of the Punjab and Haryana Secretariat. By not including the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Assembly (which form a part of the Capitol Complex) while measuring this distance, the officials ensured that the multi tower high rise Camelot project was okayed.

The names of the members of the MLAs housing society is a virtual whos who of Punjab politicians. These include deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, local bodies minister Manoranjan Kalia, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon, deputy speaker Satpal Gosain, Union Minister of state for External Affairs Perneet Kaur, former deputy speaker of Lok Sabha, Charanjit Singh Atwal, and former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur. The others on the list are former MP Rattan Singh Ajnala; Avtar Henry; and MLAs Inderjit Singh Zira; Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpura; Swaran Singh Phillaur; Avtar Singh Brar; Janmeja Singh Sekhon; Gulzar Singh Ranike; Nand Lal; Arunesh Kumar Shakar; Hardev Singh Arshi; Ramesh Chander Dogra; Jora Singh Mann; Om Parkash Soni; Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa; Tara Singh Ladal; Ranjit Singh Ballian; Raj Mohinder Singh Majithia; Jagjit Singh; Jagdish Sawhney; Jagdish Singh Garcha; Satya Pal Saini; Kunwar Jagjit Singh and Baldev Kumar Chawla

CHANDIGARH SKYLINE IN DANGER: A TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION - IV

See who profitedThe list of beneficiaries of the Tata housing project reads like the who’s who of Punjab politics. Here’s the complete list and what

they did to get thereRuchika M. Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 19The biggest money spinner in the region is the shrinking land in and around City Beautiful. Little wonder then that all big names in the real estate sector in the country want to get into this lucrative realty market, which in turn provides a perfect opportunity to local real estate agents, land aggregators and consolidators to make their millions by selling off land to the big daddies of the realty world.

The Camelot project by Tata Housing Development Company (THDC) in Kansal is a perfect example of how the real estate business works in this region. It was a local real estate agent who approached the Tatas in 2006, and suggested that the Tatas join hands with the Punjab MLAs society, The Punjabi Cooperative House Building Society and Defence Services Society, to set up an integrated project in Chandigarh, adjacent to Sukhna Lake. This developer not just made his millions by getting the land consolidated for THDC and arranging the land deal, but is also one of the main brokers for selling the project to investors.

The real estate development arm of Tatas, THDC, was roped in, allegedly with an assurance that since all bigwigs across the political spectrum-from the (then) ruling Congress to the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Bhartiya Janata Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the CPI were members of the society, the project would have no problem in taking

off and later the apartments would sell like hot cakes, considering proximity to Chandigarh.

The Tatas were one of the four real estate developers to approach the MLAs society and the Defence Services Society, to get the 53 acre land jointly owned by the two societies. The plotting of the land was already done and in 2006 when the deal was being finalized, THDC was assured by the local real estate developer that the project site had a clear land title and had no legal incumberances. With the then bigwigs of the ruling Congress like Perneet Kaur, Congress MP and wife of then chief minister Amarinder Singh, MP Santosh Chaudhary, state ministers Avtar Henry , Tej Prakash Singh and Ramesh Chander Dogra, being members of the society, the project was envisaged as a sure shot hit.

So even as the Congress lost power to the Akali- BJP combine in 2007, this new political leadership in the state had its own interest in ensuring the project remained on steam, as over half the members belonged to the SAD- BJP alliance. After all, each of these members was getting a four bedroom flat and Rs 82.50 lakh in cash. These include (now) deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh, ousted finance minister Manpreet Badal, local bodies minister Manoranjan Kalia (incidentally, it is Kalia’s department that has given all clearances to the Camelot project and played around the rules to give it a legal status), ministers Gulzar Singh Ranike, Parminder Singh Dhindsa Vidhan Sabha speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon and deputy speaker Satpal Gosain. So even as the Congress lost power to the Akali- BJP combine in 2007, this new political leadership in the state had its own interest in ensuring the project remained on steam. After all, each of these members was getting a four bedroom flat and Rs 82.50 lakh in cash.

As part of the joint development agreement signed between THDC, Hash Builders and the two above mentioned housing societies, THDC was to construct the property and make part payment to the high profile members of the two societies. Hash Builders, through its marketing arm, RMC Infrastructure, was to first sell the project to investors, and the advance thus obtained from these buyers was to be used to pay the balance money to the members of MLA society and Defence Services Society ( 260 members). THDC has reportedly paid two tranches to the MLA society members (a total of Rs 33 lakh to each member).

At the time when Joint Development Agreement was signed between THDC, Hash Builders and RMC (India) Infrastructure Ltd, there was a ban on construction of high rise buildings in this region. Interestingly, this land was purchased by the two societies from the original land owners over a period of five years - from 1997- 2003. Some of the land that the society bought was actually a part of the village common land ( jumla mushtarka malkan). However, these politicians amended the by laws and got this land transferred in the name of the society. This amendment in laws also reportedly aided the Defence Services Society.

(To be concluded)

Complete list of Camelot beneficiariesOriginally, the society had 129 members. By the time the deal was made, the number of members had come down to 102. Here is the full list:

Minister at Centre: Preneet Kaur (Congress)

Punjab Assembly: Speaker Vidhan Sabha Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Deputy Speaker Satpal Gosain, Former speaker Vidhan Sabha Charanjit Singh Atwal

Members of Parliament (MP): Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala SAD, Balwinder Singh Bhundar

SAD, Sher Singh (SAD) Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa (SAD), Avinash Rai Khanna (BJP), Santosh Chowdhary (Congress)

Chief Parliamentary Secretaries: Nand Lal (SAD), Sarwan Singh Phillaur (SAD), Sohan Singh Thandal (SAD), Arunesh Kumar (BJP), Mohinder Kaur Josh (SAD)

Ministers (SAD-BJP): Sukhbir Singh Badal, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, Master Mohan Lal, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Sucha Singh Langah, Swarna Ram, Tikshan Sood, Manoranjan Kalia

Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs): SAD: Balbir Singh Bath, Balbir Singh Ghunas, Jatinder Singh Kariha, Sarabjit Singh

BJP: Chuni Lal Bhagat, Jagdish Sawhney

Congress: Avtar Singh Brar Harmohinder Singh Pardhan, Om Parkash Soni

Former ministers: SAD-BJP: Bibi Jagir Kaur, Balbir Singh Maini, Raja Narinder Singh, Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpura, Hari Singh Zira, Inderjit Singh Zira, Manpreet Singh Badal, Raghbir Singh, Ranjit Singh Balian, Tara Singh Ladal, Charanji Lal Garg, Nusrat Ali Khan, Sikander Singh Maluka, Satwant Kaur Sandhu, Baldev Raj Chawla, Balramji Dass Tandon, Madan Mohan Mittal, Surjit Kumar Jayani

Congress: Jagjit Singh, Jasjit Singh, Satyapal Saini, Tej Parkash Singh, Avtar Henry, Late R.S. Puri, Romesh Chander Dogra

Former Members of Legislative Assembly: SAD: Bagh Singh Malla, Late Bachan Singh Cheema, Gobind Singh Longowal, Harnirpal Singh, Inder Iqbal Singh, Inderjit Singh Zira, Jagtar Singh Rajla, Manmohan Singh Sathiala, Mantar Singh Brar, Paramjit Singh, Late Prem Singh Lalpura, Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh, Vir Singh Lapoke, Jagdish Kaur Dhillon, Late Gurdeep Singh Bhullar

Congress: Amrik Singh Dhillon, Kanwaljit Singh Lally, Shamsher Singh Dullo

BSP: Satnam Singh Kainth, Shingara Ram Sahungra

CPI: Hardev Singh Arshi

SAD: Raj Mohinder Singh, Late Zora Singh Mann, Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal

Others: Ram Kumar Goel, Kanwar Jagdeep Singh, Balwant Singh, Gurdeep Singh Badal, Harbhajan Singh, Jasbir Singh Bhullar, Naib Singh, Tejinder Pal Singh, Charanjit Singh M.P., Mohit Garg, Balwinder Kaur, Gurmail Kaur, Harjit Kaur, Manjit Kaur, Manju Rinwa, Mukhtiar Kaur, Surjit Kaur

 

 

DGP submits irregularities aboutproject to High Court

Saurabh MalikTribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 19Probe into the allegations of land grab by high-ups on Chandigarh’s periphery has added another twist to the controversy shrouding the sale of land by Punjab MPs and MLAs to Tata Housing Development Company in the Capitol Complex’s vicinity.

Not only were two acres of ‘jumla mushtarka malkan’ or land commonly owned by villagers transferred to their society, they also “used their official position” to get the byelaws amended to sell the land after the matter came to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, it has now emerged.

In a status report submitted to the High Court, Punjab DGP-cum-investigating officer Chander Shekhar has stated that Punjabi Cooperative House Building Society, constituted by “representatives of the people”, purchased land in Kansal village. It was “later on sold to private companies at a very heft profit by the public representatives”.

In the report placed before the Division Bench of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, the DGP asserted: “Total land - 21.2 acres - was purchased by the society in 2003 for Rs 8.19 cores and sold to Tata Housing Development Company Limited for Rs 96.59 corers, about 10.80 times the purchase amount in four years”. Virtually indicting them, the DGP said: “It is worth pointing out that from the total area, about two acres was initially transferred from jumla mushtarka malkan. When the matter came to the HC, they further used their official position and got the byelaws amended at their will/convenience to enable them to sell their allotted plots/lands for monetary benefits”. Chander Shekhar added: “At this stage, keeping in view the basic concept of house building society, it is now for the HC to consider the matter by passing appropriate orders”.

Claiming frustration at the very purpose behind allotting land to societies, Chander Shekhar insisted the sole motive of the relevant “Act and rules was to provide land/plots for the construction of houses and flats for residential use by the members”. But, “the aim was forfeited, when the process was followed for earning profits, and when it was made a business for commercial purposes. Besides government officials and private persons, this also includes high-ups, police and non-police officers”. Chander Shekhar also gave details of 26 co-operative house building societies. He claimed that the “total number of cases transferred/sold by the original allottees” in Punjabi Cooperative House Building Society was 96 - the third highest. The first slot was bagged by Pushpac (first) Cooperative House Building Society with 175 such “cases”, followed by Telehose Employees Coop House Building Society with 101 “cases”. Punjab Vidhan Sabha Society was stated to have 16 such “cases”.

Kansal project meets rules: THDC

In a statement issued to The Tribune in Chandigarh on Friday, Tata Housing Development Company said it has always been a responsible developer. The company follows a strict code to ensure due process for any development as per the laws of the land. The company entered into Joint Development Agreements with the holders of the project lands in Kansal in an open and transparent transaction with the two societies about 45 months ago. The statement declares: “The land was independently valued and we entered an agreement for the said land on this basis. Over the past 45 months, we have been working towards acquiring all necessary permissions and approvals required for the project.

“We have in fact not begun any activity on the site and will not do so until all clearances have been obtained. Over the years, Tata Housing has come to be recognised for its quality construction, ethical and transparent business practices, high standard of maintenance and timely delivery of properties. Our proposed project in Kansal village complies with all rules and regulations, it will reflect our underlying philosophies in terms of design excellence and environmental sustainability.”

CHANDIGARH IN DANGER: A TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION-VWHAT THE ‘HIGHRISERS’ HAVE TO SAY

Under the controversial Tata housing project, 102 Punjab politicians will get Rs 82.5 lakh plus a four-bedroom flat

overlooking the Sukhna Lake from 19 towers that will mar Chandigarh’s skyline. This is what the people’s representatives

have to say

Jagdeesh Raj Sawhney Batala MLA, BJP: “There has been absolutely no hanky panky. We are unnecessarily being targeted. A residential area can come up in the vicinity of Sukhna wildlife Sanctuary.” 

Jasjit Singh Randhawa, Former Minister Congress : “I am not even the member of the Punjab Housing Society, how can I get profit out of this. Also, I have never taken any flat from any other society as well.” 

Harmohinder Singh Pradhan, Congress MLA: “ The society has not taken any benefit from the government neither any violation of norms has taken place. We have purchased land from open market so there is no question of any scam in it.” 

Chiranji Lal Garg, former SAD minister” “This is no way a scam and is a simple case of A land deal. It has been established like any other societies of professionals around Chandigarh and land was sold to the Tata Housing project at the prevalent market rate.” 

Hardev Singh Arshi, Former MLA CPI : “I do not want to speak much as it is already before the High Court. Still I feel that there was nothing wrong in the whole episode. We purchased land from private buyers and sold it also to private buyers, where is the

problem in that?” 

Avtar Brar, Congress MLA: “Our society bought land in private capacity directly from the farmers and took no money as grant from the government. Moreover, the building plan of Tata housing has not yet been approved by the government/administration, as such, the allegations that MLA's have been benefited of crores of rupees are baseless?” 

Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, Ex MLA, SAD: “Politicians should not be provided a house at the cost of nature and public exchequer.If the rules are being bent and environment is at stake, nothing should happen at the cost of nature. But at the same time all of us have paid for the project and high rise buildings are norms all over the world.” 

Ram Kumar Goyal, ex MLA, BJP: “A group of MLAs and other politicians purchased a piece of land by making a society with the aim that land will be distributed among the members in shape of residential plots. Later the society decided to handover the land to TATA Housing Development Company, which promised the members a flat each apart from cash amount. There is no illegality into this project.” 

Vardev Mann, son of former MP Zora Singh Mann:” My father has one of the members of the society, which was floated in legal manner. If a plot is given to us by any company,which has entered into agreement with society then what is wrong in that.” 

Surjit Jiyani, MLA, BJP “ If a group of MLAs have taken a piece of land by forming a society to develop their residences then what is illegal in it. A number of societies have been formed by a group of individuals throughout the state to develop residential colonies.” 

Inderjit Singh Zira, ex MLA: “The land has been taken by the MLAs and other at much higher rates than the prevailing market prices at that time. Later we formed a society and handed over that piece of land to a builder. There is nothing wrong in it.” 

Balbir Singh Ghunnas, ex MLA: “Everyone has a flat there, we followed the norms like other members of society.” 

Nusrat Ali Khan, ex MLA: “It is the former speaker Charanjeet Atwal who was the chairman at that time when I got the flat. He knows everything about it ask him.” 

Jatinder Singh Kariha, MLA: “I don’t understand why we all are being dragged into a controversy for no blame of ours. It was a totally barren and non-cultivable land which we had purchased. We simply want it to be developed for some good housing purpose.”

Ch Nand Lal, SADMLA: “All I know is that there has been an agreement between us and the construction company. They were to give us flats and the project has got delayed by two years. A deal has already been struck which has to go ahead following proper rules and regulations.” 

Ranjit Singh Chhajjalwaddi, former MLA from Khadoor Sahib: “I became a member of the society as all MLAs were becoming members in 1999 by paying an initial amount of Rs 4.50 lakh. I had then objected and told the then society president that the land being acquired was being done in an illegal manner. But no one listened to me then. I then requested them to give my money back and retain my membership so that once all legal hurdles were removed, I could deposit the money again and get the benefit.”

Gobind Singh Longowal, Ex-MLA SAD: “The society purchased and after that chairman of the soceity reached an agreement with the TATA people. We followed the

norms for getting the flat.“

Avtar Henry, Ex-MLA Cong: “I don’t know why we are being called beneficiaries. We have not been given any government land. We just formed a society and bought a land and have now given it for development.” 

CHANDIGARH IN DANGER - A TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION - VI‘CITY BEAUTIFUL WILL BE RUINED’

With Punjab politicians defending their involvement in the controversial Tata housing project even though it would mar

Chandigarh’s skyline, eight prominent citizens speak out against it. The Tribune invites its readers to send in their views

CHANDIGARH has not seen anything quite like the multi-tower Tata housing project coming up in the vicinity of its famed Capitol Complex. And hopefully never will.

On Saturday, The Tribune had spoken to as many as 42 of the 102 Punjab politicians, who were beneficiaries of the project and all, but a few of them, vociferously defended their investments in it. After forming the Punjabi Housing Cooperative Society, these politicians belonging to parties from across the political spectrum, bought land in Kansal village and then entered into an agreement with the Tata Housing Development Company (THDC).

In return for selling their land to THDC, they would be given Rs 82.5 lakh plus a four-bedroom flat each in the 19 towers that the project envisioned. Each of these towers would be anything from 12 to 35 storeys high and would be located less than 2 km from Sukhna Lake and the Secretariat.

Apart from marring Chandigarh’s skyline, the Tata project is in violation of the Edict of Chandigarh, which had laid down that there would be no such highrise structures so close to the Capitol Complex. There are also serious environmental concerns that have not been addressed.

In response to the Tribune’s investigative series on the issue, eight prominent Chandigarh citizens speak out against the project.

‘We will not support Punjab’s claim to Chandigarh’

If this is the way Punjab politicians treat Chandigarh and sanction projects that will mar Chandigarh’s skyline forever, then we will certainly not support its claims for the city to be the capital of the state.

Justice Kuldip Singh, former Supreme Court Judge

‘Leave the gem alone’

Each time I return to Chandigarh after travelling anywhere else in India, I thank God and the creators of this city. There is simply no other place like it in our country. Chandigarh was designed as a well planned low-rise urban area with unobstructed views of the Shivaliks. The High

Court, the Capitol Complex and the Periphery Act were designed to fit in with and protect this vision. This project involving Tata Housing is misconceived and will be a blot on Chandigarh. It will mar our landscape and usurp our views of the Shivaliks. Further, as Punjab has no urban infrastructure in its vicinity, it will strain our infrastructure.

Chandigarh is tiny — only 121square kilometers. Please leave this gem alone, so it can shine for future generations. Punjab is huge and has great views of the Shivaliks from many locations not in the immediate vicinity of Chandigarh. Punjab should approve this and other projects in areas away from Chandigarh and develop its infrastructure, so people want to live throughout Punjab and not just on the doorstep of Chandigarh!

Sudeep Budhiraja, former senior executive of an international bank

‘Stop the assured destruction’

The revelations in The Tribune that gigantic high-rise buildings are to come up in the vicinity of the city of Chandigarh are truly astounding. If the shameful project does go through, Chandigarh will be the ‘City Beautiful’ no more. Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision enabled Le Corbousier to create a dream city. The leaders of today will succeed in demolishing the unique structure in a matter of months. The winners in this exercise: strong armed wielders of money bags, and their connections. The permanent losers: the common man and his environment. Please stop the assured destruction! Will you?

Rajan Kashyap, former Punjab Chief Secretary

‘Heritage being trampled upon’

The Tribune’s excellent series on Camelot highlights the challenges facing the Chandigarh Administration in protecting Corbusier’s heritage city. The periphery of Chandigarh was meant to be free of habitation. This has already been trampled on, but never in such a visually and obviously offensive manner.

Cannot a close reading and application of the all-encompassing Environmental Protection Act do its stated job of protecting the citizens of Chandigarh from further degradation of its infrastructure and environment? Could the Chandigarh Administration get directly involved in ensuring all provisions of the Act are adhered to, thereby ending the project before damage is done? Neither are our roads capable of dealing with increased periphery traffic, nor is there an unending supply of water in underground aquifers.

Were the Chandigarh Administrator to work on this city being declared a “heritage city” and accepted it as an “eco-sensitive zone”, such depredations may not even arise and certainly would be easier to halt before property brokers reach the stage of selling apartments in yet to be approved or constructed colonies.”

Anil Nehru, former director of a pharma giant

‘Is this another Adarsh?’

The news of "Chandigarh Skyline in Danger" is most shocking to say the least. I have been in Chandigarh since 1960 and have witnessed the care and passion with which the character of the City Beautiful has been

maintained. While most newly planned cities in the country have been drawn into haphazard growth, Chandigarh uniquely sustained its basic philosophical and futuristic concept even amidst development.

There is nothing against urbanisation. Build a township keeping the same character as Chandigarh. Do not use its periphery to kill it, or kill what the country is trying to preserve. We have been seeking "International Heritage" status for the city. Now it seems that at the altar of greed of the politicians, bureaucrats, corporate real estate sector, the city with its vision, is being sacrificed.

It is amazing that the house of Tata headed by ethical iconic figure and highly respected corporate citizen of India, Ratan Tata should be involved in such a project that flouts the norms of environment, culture, character and the future. I wonder, is it another "Adarsh" in the making.

Rajendra K Saboo, social worker and former president, Rotary International

‘The city will become an urban slum’

Chandigarh is a world renowned model of a modern planned city besides also being looked upon as the pride of Punjab. How ironic that it should be Punjab, just for the benefit of the rich and powerful, is willing to allow this image to be marred. One shudders at the thought of what is likely to become of Chandigarh with the adjoining areas of Punjab fast turning into an urban slum as the powers that be seem so determined to ensure it.

Justice SS Sodhi, former Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court

‘It will be tata to Chandigarh’

“Chandigarh's backdrop of the Shivaliks is under threat thanks to some politicians, the house of Tata and Hash Builders. Chandigarh to me has been an "enlightened, cultural, beautiful and peaceful City." In fact, this is the meaning of the word Camelot. Now the nexus is cocking a snook at us by planning a "legal" monstrous high-rise complex that will cast its shadow on our city. And to add salt to our wounds they have cheekily called this "Camelot". These humungous structures will ruin Chandigarh and strain our infra structure. Forget Corbusier. Forget Nehru's dreams. Forget heritage. Forget the people of Chandigarh. Forget the environment. It seems these days it's all about mega money. Unless we all get together and fight this it will be ‘Ok Tata bye-bye Chandigarh’.”

Pushi Chowdry, marketing consultant

‘We will take up the matter with Sonia Gandhi’

It is a deliberate attempt by vested interests to disfigure the character of the city for monetary gains. Residents of the Chandigarh have expressed grave concern over the high-rise structures coming up behind the Capitol Complex that is known for buildings having unique architectural designs. The proposed 19 towers are also a threat to the heritage of City Beautiful and the Federation of Sector Welfare Associations (FOSWAC) vehemently opposes the high-rise towers. The members of the FOSWAC condemn those trying to disfigure the character of Chandigarh. We, the residents,

will take up the matter with UPA president Sonia Gandhi.

PC Sanghi, Chairman, Federation of Sector Welfare Associations (FOSWAC) The Tribune invites its readers to send in their views whether for or against

the project. In the days to come, we will carry a select few of them in the paper apart from putting the rest on our website. Do write in to us at