BJP lawmakers seek investigation into ‘corruption’ in LDA

LUCKNOW: Alleging widespread corruption in the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), two BJP lawmakers have written to the state vigilance commission seeking probe against officers, who they claim, engaged in ‘omission and commission’.

The lawmakers, in their missive to the chairman of the state vigilance commission, alleged that the development authority officials pocket hefty commission for clearing maps.

Virendra Singh Yadav, BJP MLA from Marhara (Etah) and Dharmendra Shakya, the party lawmaker from Sheikhupur (Badaun) have sought vigilance probe into alleged corruption in the development authority.

“No work in LDA is complete these days without paying bribe. In the name of clearing maps, officials are charging hefty amount,” they alleged.

The BJP MLAs alleged that the officials of the development authority sold off a prime commercial property Shaan-eAwadh

› All due process was followed in selling ShaaneAwadh. Advertisements were given in papers across the country inviting tenders. PN SINGH , LDA VC

(whose reserve price was around Rs 500 crore) at a meagre Rs 438 crore to a Mumbai company. They claimed there was a bungling of Rs 62 crore in the deal for which they sought a probe.

Refuting the charges, LDA V-C PN Singh said, “All due process was followed in selling Shaan-e-Awadh. Advertisements were given in newspapers across the country inviting tenders. One month’s time was allocated for the process. It was after completing due process that tenders were opened and the highest bidder was finalised. After selling Shaan-e-Awadh, the financial condition of LDA has improved,” he said.