Political Tensions Rise Over PCA Land Deal in Punjab
Punjab BJP raises concerns over a land scam linked to the PCA, demanding an investigation into alleged corruption involving AAP leaders.
Chandigarh, October 16 (Daily Kiran) : The Punjab BJP has intensified its political campaign regarding a land scam involving the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), valued at ₹77.99 crore. This development follows a letter from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Mohali, urging a formal investigation.
Party president Keval Singh Dhillon stated that this case reveals yet another scandal connected to the government. He pointed out that both the PCA president and his son are senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and are currently under scrutiny by the ED.
According to Dhillon, this land scam undermines the credibility of the AAP government’s so-called ‘Punjab Model’. He highlighted that the ED’s preliminary inquiries have uncovered alarming facts. During the tenures of Amarjeet Mehta and Padamjeet Mehta, land was purchased from farmers at significantly lower prices in Ajnala and Bathinda, only to be resold to the PCA at a staggering 15.4 times the original cost.
The BJP leader challenged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to clarify whether this is what they refer to as their ‘Punjab Model’. He demanded an explanation for how land prices soared 15 times within just four months.
Investigations revealed that the PCA acquired 155 kanals and 15 marlas of land in Ajnala for ₹58 crore, and nearly 100 kanals and 10 marlas in Bathinda for approximately ₹19.76 crore. A few months earlier, two companies had purchased this land from farmers at much lower rates. One company bought 61 kanals at ₹2.22 lakh per kanal, totaling ₹1.36 crore, and later sold it to the PCA for ₹12.03 crore at ₹37.4 lakh per kanal.
Similarly, another company procured 224 kanals for ₹5.56 crore and sold it to the PCA for ₹46.18 crore. Dhillon emphasized that this case exemplifies the government’s involvement in “cash-for-favors” transactions.
He criticized the government, which had previously claimed to promote cricket, for transforming the PCA into an entity that exploits farmers. Dhillon demanded accountability, questioning where the money collected from farmers has gone. The BJP insists that the SSP in Mohali must file an FIR immediately and conduct a thorough investigation within a defined timeline, ensuring strict action against those responsible.
