Public Accounts Committee raises alarm over govt land transactions

Stressing on preventing transactions and creation of third-party rights on lands owned by the state government and semi-government bodies, the state Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has suggested that these lands be added to a 'negative list' to prevent any illegal transactions on them.
Expressing concern about instances where details of property-related documents were manipulated at the backend, the committee has also called for audit trail protocols to be strengthened.
"The government often gives land on lease or through other means to many private persons or institutions for public purposes. However, there is no control by the government on whether the land is utilised for the stated purpose. Many a time, this land is sold without the state government's consent to others, sub-leased, let out for development and third-party interests are created on the land," said a report of the PAC, which was submitted to the state legislature on Wednesday. The committee, which is headed by senior Congress legislator Gopaldas Agarwal, said it had come across instances where the rules had been violated on many government lands.

More videos

See All