Mayawati plotted land scam in Noida: Minister

Lucknow, June 14 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav Thursday accused the previous Mayawati government of plotting a multi-crore rupee scam involving irrigation department land in Noida area.

Making a statement during a discussion on the irrigation department's budget in the assembly, the minister revealed a multi-crore rupee scam of selling off several acres of prime irrigation department land to builders near Delhi.

The minister said the Noida authority, during the Bahujan Samaj Party government, issued orders to transfer irrigation land worth Rs.15-20,000 crore to builders at throw away prices.

Yadav said that the Mayawati government wanted to change the land use and sell the land to favoured builders.

According to the audit, the scam led to financial losses of Rs.2,642 crore to the government.

The minister said that detailed evidence of the whole scam would be put before the Uttar Pradesh cabinet soon and strict action would be taken against those involved.

Yadav informed the house that important offices of the department at Parikalp Nagar premises were razed to benefit vested interests, leading to financial losses.

In Lakhimpur Kheri, during a surprise inspection at Sharda Barrage large-scale financial irregularities were discovered. Action would soon be initiated against all errant officials, he assured the house.