New Delhi, Oct 21 (Inditop.com) Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni Wednesday dismissed as “baseless and false” Punjab Governor S.F. Rodrigues’ allegations linking her and her family to the land allotted to run public schools in Chandigarh.
Soni also opposed the governor’s proposal for building multi-storey apartments, saying the move amounted to commercialisation of a global city.
“I have consciously restrained myself from making any comment on his statements, since he holds a constitutional post at the pleasure of the President of India,” Soni said while alluding to Rodrigues’ charges that his initiatives in the union territory had affected the business interests of her husband.
“But I find that he has no compunction of what is correct or otherwise and has lost no opportunity in levelling baseless and false accusations,” Soni said.
Soni pointed out that land was allotted in Chandigarh in response to public notices about seven years ago to around 22 entities to run schools. The issue was raised in the high court in a written petition and continues to remain sub-judice, she said.
Soni also explained that after the issue went to the high court, she had convened a press conference and had asked the then home minister L.K. Advani to conduct an enquiry, if need be by CBI, into the allocation of land to 22 entities, including to her family.
She also said that if any wrong practice had been adopted, then the land should be taken back.
The minister, however, underlined her opposition to the governor’s proposal of building multi-storey apartment complexes and said that such a move would have changed the character of this global city. “I vehemently opposed this commercialisation,” Soni said.
“In 40 years of my public life, I have consciously shunned any attempt to mix business or monetary gains with the discharge of my duties as a public servant. I have stood for transparency and probity in public life.”
rounak