Shaktisinh Gohil, Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, has urged the state government to give justice to farmers in Surat who sold their land to builders between the period large chunks of land were declared reserved for the expansion of the Surat Airport and then later released saying it was not required.
In a written reply to Gohil’s question in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State For Civil Aviation, said that as on date no land is required for the expansion of Surat Airport.
The Monsoon Session of the Parliament began on Monday. The session is expected to be stormy as the Opposition will mount pressure on the government over various issues, including claims by US President Donald Trump on ceasefire after Operation Sindoor.
Later in a video message, Gohil said that the state government should bring in a special law, if needed, so that the transactions done between the period of a notification to reserve the land and a notification to de-reserve/release the land was bought published.
The Congress leader said the farmers should have the right to return the money, without interest, to the builders.
Gohil said he had received complaints that the farmers were approached by the builders, who reportedly told them that the state government would now take away their land at throwaway prices. The builders reportedly urged the farmers to give away the sale deeds or agreements of sale to them. Following this, several farmers gave away the documents and took the money from the builders.
The Rajya Sabha MP alleged connivance of the administration and the builder lobby for the two notifications. The “deals” done between the said period should stand canceled, he urged.
Gohil further said that Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is aware about such activities and he should ensure that it is not tolerated.
The Minister of State For Civil Aviation also mentioned in his reply that the responsibility to make available land for an airport’s expansion lies with the state government.
From time to time, the Airport Authority of India studies the need for an expansion of the airport and prepares the master-plan. The requirement for the land is then shared with the state government, he added.
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