INDIA
Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal, who is embroiled in a controversy over the purchase of forest land in the name of his wife in 2009, today termed the allegations as a "political conspiracy" and said he was open to any probe.
Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal, who is embroiled in a controversy over the purchase of forest land in the name of his wife in 2009, today termed the allegations as a "political conspiracy" and said he was open to any probe.
He said he will surrender the land in question, if proven guilty.
"This is not my clarification, rather I am saying that no irregularity was committed while purchasing the land by my family," Agrawal said in a press conference at his official residence here.
He was referring to the controversy surrounding the purchase of around 4.12 hectares of forest land near a Buddhist site in Mahasamund district in the name of his wife Sarita Agrawal in 2009, which is now being used for constructing a resort.
"The land was procured based on revenue records of the government which stated that its ownership was in the name of the farmer concerned. I had mentioned the property registered in the name of my wife in my affidavit (for the 2013 elections). I am open to a probe by any agencies in the world.
I will surrender the land, if I am proven guilty," he said.
The land, owned by farmer Vishnu Ram Sahu and five others, was donated to the Water Resources Department (WRD) as "daanpatra" (donated for public use) in the erstwhile Madhya Pardesh in 1994.
As per the revenue records, the property in question was part of the total 61.729 hectares of land given to the forest department by the WRD against the forest land falling in the submergence area of an irrigation project in Mahasamund.
However, the possession (ownership) of the land was not changed in the revenue records.
Kisan Mazdoor Sangh (KMS) convener Lalit Chandranah had yesterday said that the land was sold to Sarita Agrawal, wife of Brijmohan Agrawal, a native of Ramsagar Para (Raipur), by other donors.
Denying any wrongdoing in the registry of the land, the minister said the allegation against him was part of a political conspiracy.
"The issue is nothing, but just a political conspiracy. I would say they (conspirators) should not do the dirty politics of dragging anyone's family members in false issues, that too when they (referring to his family) are not in politics. I think below-the-belt war should not be done," he said.
Evading a direct reply to a query on the identity of the "conspirators", he said, "You (media) know better about this".
"If it is established after a probe that I have committed anything wrong or the registry was fake, I will surrender this land," the minister said.
When asked about his terms with Chief Minister Raman Singh, he said, "He is our chief minister and I have nice terms with him".
On the CM directing the state chief secretary to file a report on the matter, Agrawal said, "He is the CM and it is his responsibility when any issue is brought to his attention.
The CM has not sought any explanation (on the land issue) either from the government authorities or the party high command".
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
DNA TV Show: What is green cess for vehicles entering Uttarakhand?
WPL 2025 auction date, player list announced: Check time, venue and more
Rishabh Pant left Delhi Capitals for a bigger paycheck? DC coach makes startling revelation
'We have many....': Unacademy CEO Gaurav Munjal denies Rs 800 crore sale deal with Allen
Delhi Weather Update: AQI dips to 'poor' category again, rain expected on....
Amol Palekar has THIS to say about superstar Rajesh Khanna’s arrogance: 'He felt need to show...'
Why people hear pulse in their ears, know the reason here
Major update on Vande Bharat sleeper trains, Railway minister says, 'The first...'
IND vs AUS: Travis Head breaks silence on Mohammed Siraj's outburst during Adelaide pink-ball Test
After divorce AR Rahman to take one-year break from music? Son AR Ameen clarifies: 'This is...'
Mumbai: 25-year-old model dies after being run over by water tanker in Bandra
Pragya Nagra breaks silence on her alleged private leaked video, says, 'No woman should...'
Married, divorced and now ready to remarry: Pennsylvania couple reunites after 50 years
Kim Kardashian suffers leg injury, uses crutches to move, inform fans with her photo...
Anil Ambani's company settles its outstanding interest of Rs 1310745780 with...
This woman IAS officer gets bail, was suspended, jailed due to...
'Will always be against...': Samajwadi Party pulls out of MVA alliance in Maharashtra, here's why
CBSE issues show-cause notice against 34 affiliated schools because of...
What is Kawasaki, the rare disease Munawar Faruqui's son diagnosed with?
370,000 people displaced by escalation of hostilities in Syria, says UN
'This is pathetic...': Rohit Sharma slammed for poor captaincy in 2nd Test vs Australia
Meet Indian origin man, who runs Rs 26248 crore startup as CEO, married to WWE wrestler, he is...
Delhi-Meerut RRTS: Integrated parking, commercial spaces to be developed at 6 stations, to offer...
SHOCKING: Sleepy bank employee accidentally transfers Rs 20000000000, know what happened next
World's richest man Elon Musk becomes Donald Trump’s top political donor with contribution of Rs…
What causes people to have dimples? Know here
Bhavish Aggarwal’s Rs 39967 crore company receives another notice, gets 15 days to...
India emerges as third nation in billionaires with 185 persons, 1st rank is secured by...
Watch: Mohammed Siraj gives aggressive send off to Travis Head, gets booed by Adelaide crowd
7 brands you didn’t know are owned by Mukesh Ambani's daughter Isha Ambani: Ajio, Hamleys and…
'Coming to eat Shoaib Akhtar's legacy': Mohammed Siraj's 181.6 kmph blunder ignites meme frenzy
Vinod Kambli Net Worth: Sachin Tendulkar's childhood friend once owned crores, now only gets...
Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga rejects Javed Akhtar's criticism, questions his credibility
Want to have dinner with Donald Trump, Melania Trump? You will have to pay Rs...
52-year-old man shot dead by unidentified assailants in Delhi's Shahdara, probe underway
Bangladesh’s Tilt Toward China and Pakistan: Growing concern for India
Architect AI by 2Moons: Future tool every architect needs
How much do Rapido, Uber riders earn? Bengaluru man's SHOCKING revelation, earns Rs... in 13 hours
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan shines in pink with daughter Aaradhya Bachchan at wedding; netizens notice...
Telangana: Five killed as car plunges into lake in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, probe underway
Delhi pollution: Air quality nears 'poor' level in Delhi-NCR, AQI at...
Meet Indian genius, who built Rs 100 crore firm in 1 year at age 16, her business is…
Forged in history: The enduring partnership between Nepali and Indian Armies
Saudi Arabia launches its own cold drink, will challenge Coca Cola, Pepsi, it is made from...
Kerala Lottery Results December 7: Karunya KR 683 Saturday lucky draw result TODAY
Shillong Teer Result TODAY December 7, 2024 Saturday: Check 1st, 2nd-round lucky winning numbers
Storm Darragh: Three million people urged to stay indoors HERE as it braces for 90mph winds
Meet Pragya Nagra, Malayalam actress whose alleged intimate video has gone viral
India issues travel advisory for its citizens in Syria: 'Leave at the...'
'She nailed it': Girl's sizzling dance on 'Aaj ki Raat' sets internet on fire, WATCH viral video