Red Cross land in Bathinda leased to AAP leader and Punjab Cricket Association president’s son at 'nominal rates'

PTC News Desk: Padamjit Singh Mehta, the son of Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) President Amarjeet Mehta and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is said to have leased more than 11 acres of prime land on the outskirts of the city from the Bathinda unit of the Red Cross for 'nominal rates.'

Despite protests from 'non-ex-officio members' of the Red Cross executive committee, the site has been granted for a commercial project for a 30-year period.

Illegally appointed Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) President, a defaulter of multiple banks Amarjeet Mehta is now set to grab a prime 11-acre Red Cross property on a 30-year lease for a nominal price....without an auction.

Is this the "corruption-free" Punjab that CM… pic.twitter.com/5GC0NfrRVM — Manik Goyal (@ManikGoyal_) August 14, 2024

Padamjit Singh would give the Red Cross an annual payment of Rs 90,000 per acre, with increases of 15 per cent every three years. Latif Ahmad, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), who oversaw the group that chose the land leasing quotes, stated that social and sporting events would take place on the property.

Amarjeet Mehta, on the other hand, declined to provide specifics, implying that the project will be commercial in nature as they plan to present it to Invest Punjab, the Punjab government's drive to boost investment in the province. Amarjeet Mehta is one of the most powerful AAP politicians from Bathinda, but he does not currently occupy any party positions.

Sports-related activities would take place on the property, according to ADC(G) Latif Ahmad. The relevant authorities' consent will be required before any building may begin on the land. They have advised us that social and sporting events will take place there. They will provide counseling, which is urgently needed. They'll make a positive impact on society.

Ahmad responded, "A sports academy and counselling centre will come up on the land," when asked what specifically was planned for the property. The docs are not final as of yet. The contract is not yet finalised. Nothing is definitive as of yet.

Amarjeet Mehta added that no information has yet been verified. "Once it is confirmed, we will be able to provide more details. As of right now, planning is underway. What will surface has not yet been established," he continued.

"Now I can't comment on what he is saying," Amarjeet Mehta stated in response to the ADC(G)'s assertion that a sports academy was on the horizon. Planning also includes what he is saying. Although it is not confirmed today, it might surface there.

"Padamjit Mehta, my son, is the tenant. He is putting a lot of thought into it. We reserve the right to remain silent until the planning is finalised. We're attempting to introduce Bathinda to something fresh. However, maps have not yet been approved. This ambitious idea will be submitted to "Invest Punjab," where additional approvals would be required. We can't say anything until those approvals are received.

The Indian Express was informed by Red Cross Executive Member Jagdish Singh that he had objected to the resolution to lease the land for such a long time at such low prices. The amount of the leasing agreement will be insignificant in comparison to the market rates, as the yearly contract price of the lands is rapidly increasing.

Additionally, the leasing rate will only increase by 15 per cent every three years, as opposed to the customary 10 per cent annual increase in these agreements. For such great land, the 15 per cent increase after three years is practically insignificant, according to Jagdish Singh.

"I have no idea what has been happening on this property. They might not let us know. We had suggested that even farmers would have paid nearly the same rent for the land without obtaining a tubewell connection in exchange for 30 years of land ownership," he continued.

A different member of the Executive Committee, Vijay Bhatt, stated, "We have been given very little information about the planned project." The land ought to have been put up for public auction rather than being advertised in newspapers with a quote request. For such a long time, the land has been provided for nominal rates.”

The head of the District Planning Committee and AAP politician, Amrit Aggarwal, asserted that he was likewise unaware of the reason behind the land's donation.

Also Read: 'Avoid being alone...don't attract unnecessary attention': Assam hospital's advisory to female staff after Kolkata incident

- With inputs from agencies

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