Lease violations: Govt reclaims land allotted to two power firms in 2011

Lucknow: In a major action, the state govt has reclaimed 761.41 acres in Bhognipur that were allotted to two power companies in 2011 after detecting violations of lease conditions. The land has been re-recorded in the name of the local gram sabha.Based on an inquiry report and recommendations submitted by Kanpur Dehat district magistrate Kapil Singh, Kanpur divisional commissioner K Vijayaendra Pandian ordered that the land be re-recorded in the name of the gram sabha.Officials said the land had been allotted to Himavat Power Ltd and Lanco Anpara Power Ltd for setting up a thermal power plant in Bhognipur. However, the companies allegedly violated the terms of the agreement and mortgaged govt land to banks without obtaining permission.“Through the alleged connivance of the then additional district magistrate and certain bank employees, the companies secured loans exceeding Rs 400 crore,” an official said.The companies neither completed the project nor repaid the loans, following which banks initiated the process to auction the land, he added.DM Kapil Singh took cognisance of the matter and ordered an inquiry. It was found that the companies, in collusion with officials, had caused substantial loss to govt revenue.Acting on the directions of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the district administration intervened, halted the auction process, and ensured that the land was secured in govt records.On a complaint filed by Bhognipur tehsildar Priya Singh, an FIR was lodged at Musanagar police station against the two companies, bank officials, and the former ADM.“The district magistrate’s inquiry report clearly establishes that the companies that obtained the land violated mandatory lease conditions,” the divisional commissioner said.