Swamy calls for Jethmalani’s dismissal

MUMBAI, August 29: Janata Party president Dr Subramanian Swamy today demanded the dismissal of Union Minister Ram Jethmalanai from the Mi...

MUMBAI, August 29: Janata Party president Dr Subramanian Swamy today demanded the dismissal of Union Minister Ram Jethmalanai from the Ministry of Urban Affairs & Employment (UAEM), for his alleged involvement in a series of corruption scandals.

At a press conference in the city today, Swamy dwelt on the Rs 1,000-crore land scam concerning a plot near Delhi, which the minister allegedly denotified for acquisition by a private party. The 68-acre plot, had been notified for use by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to build houses for the poor.

“However, Jethmalani denotified this land worth Rs 1,000 crore from acquisition in July this year when a representation was submitted to the UAEM by a Singapore-based agent, one Acharaya Arun Dev,” he charged.

Furnishing documents, Swamy said the land in Karkardooma village (now an elite locality) is owned by the Sita Ram Bhandar Trust, but was notified for acquisition for the DDA’s use in 1959. The trust, however, went to court and the matter is still pending before the Delhi High Court.

“The financial loss for the government and the DDA by such exemptions would in my estimate be Rs 4,000 crore as it would get back only the money deposited by it in the revolving fund for land acquisition decades ago. It would also lose property worth crores of rupees and the capital appreciation on the land,” the JP president explained.

“Since Jethmalani is promoting the cause of rich builders and estate agents at the cost of the poor masses, he should either step down from the minister’s post or be dismissed by the Prime Minister. He should also be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act by the CBI,” Swamy added.

He also alleges that Jethmalani had committed an error of commission in the M S Shoes land scam, which necessitated a detailed investigation by the CBI. Jethmalani had reportedly passed an unprecedented order’ restoring the land worth Rs 350 crore to M S Shoes Ltd, owned by Pawan Sachdeva.

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Calling the BJP government “a disaster”, Swamy said Opposition secular forces would seek to form a government after the outcome of forthcoming Assembly elections in four states.

He also cited The Indian Express report which appeared in the Delhi edition today, stating that three of the seniormost officials in the UAEM, including the secretary, met the Cabinet Secretary Brajesh Kumar to protest against irregularities indulged in by Jethmalani. The three officials later proceeded on long, indefinite leave.