The Congress Government itself did not implement the committee’s report and the BJP has postponed implementing it on one pretext or the other when it came to power again in 2003. Revenue Minister Kamal Patel was not available for comment.

Pradesh chief of Vidya Bharati, an umbrella organisation for RSS affiliated schools, Mulayam Singh Thakur said the organisation was engaged in providing education to students in remote areas and getting government land was justified. He said institutions like Saraswati Shishu Mandir depend on the Government for land because they provide free education or charge minimal fees and depend largely on donations to meet their expenses.

Sources said some of these applications for land had been pending for a long time because these institutions operate from rented premises. The ruling party has been clearing applications at a fast clip before the model code of conduct takes effect.