Gujarat Congress Alleges Rs 122 Cr AUDA land scam

Ahmedabad :  A heated accusation surfaced on Wednesday as Amit Chavda, the Gujarat Congress leader in the Gujarat State Assembly, pointed fingers at the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), alleging a scandalous favoritism towards individuals associated with the BJP government.

Chavda claimed a staggering ₹122 crore scam, asserting that the AUDA had allocated government land intended for an educational institute at half its market value to close associates of the ruling party.

“The AUDA’s actions blatantly favored corporations closely linked to the BJP, providing land valued at over ₹244 crores at an unfairly reduced rate, violating the Gujarat Land Disposable Act of 2009. This was purportedly done under the guise of allocating land meant for the educational institution SanskarDham,” Chavda stated.

SanskarDham, rooted in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideology, is an educational entity whose school campus was inaugurated in 2009 by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

The controversy revolves around four plots earmarked for social infrastructure under the TP scheme number 429 in the Manipur Godhavi region of AUDA. SanskarDham sought these plots to develop an International Standard Sports Higher Performance Centre (HPC) and a Center for Excellence in skill development at a 50% concessional rate.

Chavda highlighted, “In the 288th board meeting on July 4, 2022, AUDA approved the grant of this land at a valuation of ₹244.48 crore, subsequently requesting SanskarDham to pay only 50% of the assessed value, totaling ₹122.24 crore. The possession of these plots was transferred to SanskarDham on October 21, 2023.”

Shockingly, Chavda revealed that the lease deed for these plots was not executed with SanskarDham but with two companies, Bright Bal Gokulam Foundation and Nutan Nirmata Foundation, founded merely nine months before by individuals with strong political affiliations.

“This evident scandal gifted prime land to favored corporates at half its value. The timing and connections of these entities underscore the favoritism,” Chavda emphasized.

The Bright Bal Gokulam Foundation lists Jayeshkumar Batukrai Desai, Parimal Dhirajlal Nathwani, Maulik Bhagat, and Dhara Harish Dedhiya as its operators. Meanwhile, Nutan Nirmata Foundation’s profile features Abhishek Mangalprabhat Lodha and Amrutbhai Parbatbhai Patel.