Dharamsala:The BJP government in Himachal Pradesh has allowed Team Anna member and lawyer Prashant Bhushan special permission to purchase land in the state, a right only allowed to the state’s permanent residents.
This fact came to light in a written reply given by Public Works Minister Gulab Singh in the state assembly.
“From Jan 1, 2008 to Nov 30, 2011, land use change of only 4-66-28 hectares of tea gardens has been allowed on purchased under Section 118 (of the Land Reforms and Tenancy Act) to Kumud Bhushan, Educational Society of Kandbari (in Kangra district) for purchasing tea gardens,” Singh, who also hold revenue portfolio, said in reply to a question of Congress legislator Sudhir Sharma.
He said the Kumud Bhushan Educational Society is run by Prashant Bhushan, son of Shanti Bhushan, and resident of B-16, Sector 14, Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
Kandbari is in Palampur, known for tea gardens in the hills state.
Under Himachal Pradesh land laws, only the state’s permanent residents can buy land in the state. Others who want to purchase land for non-agricultural purposes have to seek relaxations under Section 118 of the Land Reforms and Tenancy Act from the state government.
Last month the Bhushans visited Palampur to attend a function of the Rotary Club and announced that they were planning to open an institute at Kandbari to train the youth in public welfare related policies for Team Anna.
IANS
