Several plots for dairy farms sold to officials

JAIPUR: Adding to the ever-increasing list of land scams in the state, officials of local bodies have "grabbed" several plots in the city outskirts that were meant for rehabilitation of dairy farms. A recent high court order had directed the bodies to shift the dairies functioing in the city.
According to sources, at least 50% of the 1500 plots allotted to dairy owners in the city outskirts in 2001, have been sold to third parties at higher prices in connivance with officials of civic bodies.
After a three-level survey and enquiries by JMC, 1,555 applicants (dairy owners) were recommended to the JDA for allocation of land way back in 2000. Since then, they were expected to shift their farms to the new plots.
However, both the JMC and the JDA authorities on Monday claimed that by November 30 all the operational dairy farms within the municipal area of the city will be shifted in compliance with the court order.
According to sources, 700 to 800 allotted plots have been illegally sold to other parties, of which many have been converted into residential and commercial areas at Ramalawala on the Sikar road, Harchandra Pura on the Agra road and Surajpura along the Tonk road.
OP Gupta, commissioner, JMC said, "We have also received such information of selling out of some plots. We will look into it." When asked about the delay in execution of the court order Gupta said every day there are new claimants for the plots . "We also have to deal with high-level political pressure for rehabilitating the new claimants," he added.
Sources said a majority of those who have recently sought plots are ones who have already sold their plots to other parties. A source said, "I know at least 12 dairy owners who have sold their plots to JMC staff."