The opposition Congress has alleged a major scam in the allotment of plots belonging to the Puducherry Housing Board in violation of rules and at throwaway prices.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday, AICC general secretary and former Union Minister for State V. Narayanasamy claimed that prime land belonging to the Housing Board in Kurumbapet was sold at throwaway price of Rs. 52 lakh without following any tender procedure and competitive bidding. The allotment was subsequently cancelled and fresh tenders have been called by the Board.
According to Mr. Narayanasamy, a few more plots belonging to the Housing Board at Moolakulam and other prime locations were allotted on the basis of favouritism. The Congress would submit a petition to the Lieutenant Governor seeking a probe into the land allotment scam.
Alleging exclusion of Puducherry from the list of smart cities finalised by the Union Government, he said the Centre was doing injustice to Puducherry. The Chief Minister N. Rangasamy should also be blamed for the non-inclusion of Puducherry, he said.
Mr. Narayanasamy also alleged that the Chief Minister had been diverting funds allotted in the budget for most of the departments in making available freebies such as mixers and grinders in order to appease the people ahead of the Assembly elections in 2016.
Attempts were being made to divert funds allotted under the Special Component Plan (SCP) and for the welfare of the unorganised labourers sector for implementation of various welfare schemes.
He also called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene immediately and ensure that Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj quit the cabinet over the Lalit Modi issue.
He also alleged that Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani and Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde should be sacked. Though Mr. Modi was claiming to be the champion of clean governance, corruption had spread fast in the present government.
