The uproar over the alleged involvement of Jayant Bhushan and Shanti Bhushan, representatives of the civil society in the drafting committee of Lokpal Bill, in obtaining farm land from the Mayawati government from her discretionary quota has raised question mark over the clean image of even the most trusted people in the committee. The numerous media reports highlighting allegations of people from several walk of life has added to the furor.
Voice4You is the first to bring to you the story straight from the horses mouth, Shanti Bhushan. Another member of the committee who represents the civil society Mukund Parikh writes in support of Bhushan.
SHANTI BHUSHAN, SENIOR ADVOCATE
Press statement on allotment of plots
The report in the Indian Express this morning mischievously suggests that Jayant Bhushan and I have taken two farm plots from Mayawati from her discretionary quota. This is also a part of the malicious campaign by those corrupt, influential people who are afraid that my presence in the drafting committee may result in a tough law against corruption in the form of a Lokpal bill.
These are not allotment from any discretionary quota. In January 2009 a scheme was advertised by NOIDA authorities who were described as an open-ended scheme for allotment of farmhouse plots in NOIDA with size of plots 10,000 square meters or above. The rate of allotment was mentioned as 3,100 rupees per square meter plus location charges as applicable. Eligibility criteria and other details were mentioned in the brochure. A soft copy of the application form for allotment of farmhouse plots was also included in the brochure.
An amount of Rs 31,00,000 was payable with the application, which was paid along with the application in March 2009. Intimation about reservation of one plot was received on 18/1/2010. After identification of the plot numbers, a communication was received by NOIDA authorities on 5/1/2011 allotting plot number FH19 in sector 165 measuring 10,000 square meters which intimated that the total premium on the plots was 3,67,50,000 and registration money was 31,00,000 and the annual lease rent was to be 9,18,750 per year.
So far, possession has not been delivered, nor the lease deal executed. It is only after the plot has been made approachable by construction of roads that possession would be delivered and lease executed.
To suggest that the allotment has been obtained from any discretionary quota is totally false and misleading. In fact, when we applied in March 2009, and as required attached the project report prepared by an architect and a statement on the means and finance, showing that the entire amount would be available from our bank deposits, we also expected that if the number of applicants was more than the number of plots planned there would be a draw of lots and we were surprised when an intimation in January 2010 was received that without any draw of lots a plot was being offered to us. We assumed that probably fewer persons might have applied for the plots than the number of plots planned by the NOIDA authority and therefore all applicants might have been offered plots. This belief was due to the fact that the financial terms were very stringent particularly as in addition to the premium of 3 and a half crores, there was to be an annual rent of more than 9 lacs per year. If there has been any arbitrariness in the allotment of the plots, the allotments should be cancelled and we would certainly not challenge the cancellation.
It is also to be noted that both myself and my son Jayant Bhushan have been fighting cases against Mayawati in courts and the question of obtaining favours from her or her govt does not arise at all. Jayant was fighting the case against the Mayawati government on the Mayawati statues along the Noida bird sanctuary. I and Prashant Bhushan have been regularly appearing in PILs against Mayawati in the Taj corridor case even as recently as last week. These cases are still continuing.
Mukund Parikh, Mumbai:
Respected Sir,
I introduce myself as Mukund K. Parikh, ex-GM of Indian large renowned industrial groups after dedicated services at top level of 30 years or so. Presently, I am doing social services to my best extent in Mumbai at my own cost. I have been honoured with VP post of Bhrastachar Virodhi Jan Andolan Samiti, Upnagar Mumbai (Anna Hazare Est.) and Advisory Council member of Forum of Fast Justice, Janhit Manch known to you and many others.
I strongly feel that all learned citizens and others surely know civil society members’ dedication, integrity, motives, national interest and yeoman services have been rendering at all cost. Hence I earnestly request not to get disheartened by such nonsensical and malicious campaign of all concerned in whatsoever manner. In fact dignitaries like you must derive strength out of it to fight till ultimate goal of national interest is achieved. Rest assure not only our Anna (elder brother) but all his committed soldiers, citizens of India including vibrant youth and many more will surely stand by our panel members.
In reality, I am happy that politician like Amar Singh has come out with such nastiness now which is nothing but himself exposing only. It clearly establishes that how corrupt politicians firstly squeezes common man, bending so called legal systems and lastly when they are rarely challenged, they adopt all means to get out of it in spendthrift manner at public cost.
Respected Sir, may I ask you what relevance it has with your past professional services availed by such? Was it not his desperation even if it may be true? Has it any relevance to drafting of Lokpal Bill by joint committee? Why almost all political parties and his most of thick friends/colleagues dumped him? What is his present and future political status (ye janta hai, sab janti hai, wait and watch)? Dose he not know mis-deeds of other panel ministers? Does he have gust to make them public? Does he not aspiring place in other political parties? Does he not shivering because of proposed Lokpal Bill alike many others? I strongly believe that civil society members must throw open challenge to him to first support passing of Lokpal Bill then all civil society members are prepared to face any allegations against them before Lok Ayukta.
It will be not out of context to say here that when Shailesh Gandhi was appointed S.C. he openly announced that he will resign if he is not able to fit into to present corrupt system. I am sure that he still remembers encouraging words of Lord Krishna to Arjun: “Not to leave battle field and runaway but get-up and fight this Dharmayudh otherwise you will be everlasting dishonour which will be more than a death”. I also said to him that be within system and fight it out like true crusader of RTI. Please do have a look to the most relevant shlokas: 31 to 38, Chapter II, Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta so as to remove all anxieties that any human passes through under similar circumstances. I am ardent follower of Lord Krishna preaching in Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta and other Upanishads which has eternal truths and all possible solutions for mankind.
I am too small to write this to you but honestly feel that civil society members should not let down citizens and next generations by any in-action for which you all have put whole heart and soul otherwise it will be criminal waste and disservice to society. I am prepared to sacrifice all that I can do for all of you.
I shall ever remember:
1. Anna’s golden words while leaving Ralegan Siddhi for Mumbai when entire village was weeping and he consoled them by saying to remember that how mother of Sahid Bhagat Singh had given parting to him while he was to be hanged,
2. Repetition of same words to me when I urged him to take care of his health on podium of public meeting held on 03rd April, 2011 at Mumbai organised by our colleague of Bhrastachar Virodhi Jan Andolan, Mumbai (Anna Hazare Est.), attended by over 5500 spirited common men before coming to New Delhi, on 4th April ,2011,
3. Tears shed by Anna on 5th April, 2011 at Gandhi Samadhi before he went on unto death fast at Jantar Mantar.
With Best regards and praying almighty for your success in national interest,
.
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