Cong-BJP spat in RS over alleged Gujarat land scam

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday witnessed a spat between treasury and opposition benches when Congress leader Anand Sharma raised the issue of alleged land scam in Gujarat.

Making a Zero Hour mention, Sharma said Parliament has passed laws and there is a separate ministry to protect endangered wildlife. “Now we have a situation...(where there is) serious violation” of laws and guidelines relating to environmental protection in Gujarat. He said in violation of norms, 422 acres at a rate of Rs 15 square feet was alloted in an eco-sensitive area in Gujarat in 2010. Ownership of land falling in wildlife sanctuaries cannot be changed, he said.

As Sharma was speaking, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi raised a point of order and said if a matter is pending in court, no member can raise the issue in the House.