Norms followed for land acquisition in Sector 9: Yamuna expressway authority
An ad hoc committee was formed after farmers demanded a probe into alleged irregularities
An ad hoc committee of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) found no irregularity in the acquisition of land for a power station in Jahangirpuri, which is located along the expressway.
The committee was led by YEIDA additional chief executive officer, Amarnath Upadhyaya.
“There was no violation of any norm in land acquisition for the power station project, built along the Yamuna Expressway. The proposal for the power station project was started by the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited. UPPCL had also identified the land for the project. YEIDA only acquired the land for the project, as per the specified procedures,” Upadhyaya said.
Read more: Yeida forms committee to probe ‘land scam’ in Greater Noida
Arun Vir Singh, chief executive officer of YEIDA, on May 5 had formed a five-member committee to investigate an alleged scam pertaining to 80 acres acquired for a power station along the expressway.
The committee was formed after farmers demanded a probe into the matter and identified government officials who allegedly bought agricultural land from them at cheaper rates in 2012-13. The farmers had alleged that the officials sold the land to YEIDA the same year for a higher price.
“I have only probed whether the land acquisition was faulty. As far as the land acquisition is concerned, all laid down procedures were followed. However, our committee did not investigate details such as who purchased the land from farmers or who were the original land owners. We probed on the basis of documents available in the files,” said Upadhyaya.
The 80 acres are located in Sector 9. The committee headed by Upadhyaya also comprised an officer on special duty (OSD), general manager (land), general manager (projects) and general manager (finance) of YEIDA. The committee was directed to submit a preliminary report in 15 days.
“To verify the fact that the government officials purchased the land from farmers before the land was acquired, district administration’s Lekhpal, who has Khatauni (land records) should conduct a probe,” Upadhyaya said.