Chairman Dr. Prabhat Kumar initiates investigation in lease back scam of Greater Noida

Ashish Kedia
Lokesh Goswami

Greater Noida Authority and Yamuna Authority Chairman Dr. Prabhat Kumar has ordered probe in alleged leaseback scam pertaining to areas falling within jurisdiction of these two authorities.

What’s the scam?

In last 8-10 years authority had wrongly acquired many acres of residential lands from farmers. However farmers strongly objected and protested over it and demanded that land owned by farmers but meant for residential purposes must be returned back.

Henceforth a favorable decision was taken in this regard and leaseback scheme was launched to return back the land to intended farmers.

Under the provisions of this scheme the land was to be returned back to the farmers from whom it had been wrongly acquired. However various anomalies were reported in the process.

Probe Ordered

Dr. Prabhat Kumar said, “I have received complaints of gross-violations in this return back procedure. The land has been reportedly sold to non-farmers and ignoring the clear guidelines of returning it back to original resident owner it has been sold to people as far as Maharashtra”.

He has asked DM B N Singh to get probe done in the cases belonging to Badlapur area of Greater Noida Authority. Dr. Arun Veer has been assigned the task of conducting a similar probe in other approx 150 lease back cases of authority.

As per rough estimates, the scam if completely unfolded can run in multiple crores. In Badalpur area of Greater Noida alone around 500 crore worth of land was returned under the provision. Another 150 people have been benefited under the scheme by Greater Noida authority.

Badalpur happens to be the native place of BSP Supremo Mayawati. The residential leaseback scheme was also launched during Mayawati government in UP.

Chairman has asked for a report to be submitted to him by 30 June.