Now Reading: AAP MLA challenges Punjab minister over panchayat land auction
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AAP MLA challenges Punjab minister over panchayat land auction
AAP MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura challenged Rural Development Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond in the Punjab Assembly on Friday, saying he will resign if the minister can prove even a single bidding of…
The Story in Brief
AAP MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura challenged Rural Development Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond in the Punjab Assembly on Friday, saying he will resign if the minister can prove even a single bidding of an 11-acre panchayat land in Daulatpur village took place this year. Sond said the auction could not be held earlier because the sarpanch was suspended and an administrator had to be appointed. He added that the bidding was conducted on time but drew no bidders due to the high reserve price. The reserve was then reduced by 10 per cent, yet no one came forward. A fresh bidding is scheduled for Friday.
In another question, AAP MLA Dinesh Chadha alleged that 800 acres of panchayat land in Bara Phool village has been “fraudulently owned by influential mafia” in collusion with officers. Sond said the Advocate General’s opinion will be sought. Separately, AAP MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa pressed Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian on the delayed divisional complex in Dera Bassi, which Mundian said will be ready soon.
The Indian Opinion
The AAP MLA’s dramatic resignation challenge makes for a good sound bite, but it sidesteps a basic question: if no bidding happened all year, why blame just the minister? Panchayat auctions can stall for many reasons, suspended officials, low response, procedural delays. The opposition frames this as deliberate inaction, while the government blames administrative hiccups. The real test is whether Friday’s fresh auction for the Daulatpur land actually draws bidders. If it does, the minister’s claim stands. If not, the MLA’s charge gains weight. Numbers will settle this, not floor theatrics.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
