'Probe into eye hospital project of Rajiv Gandhi trust'

The Haryana government today said that an inquiry will be launched into "several extensions" given to the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust for the construction of an eye hospital in Gurgaon.
Replying to a question during the Question Hour in Haryana Assembly here, Haryana Development and Panchayat Minister O P Dhankar said that questions were raised over the manner in which "several extensions" were granted to the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust for construction of hospital and rules were changed to facilitate this project.
"This issue (Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust) was highlighted by the media widely. It also came into the press that several extensions were given to it. The current extension (for construction of hospital) is 2017.

I think the member of the House also wants that this issue should be probed as several questions were raised over it...The state government will probe why it was given several extensions and why rules were changed," Dhankar said on the floor of the House.
MLA Om Parkash Yadav had raised the question on the status of the charitable eye hospital which was to come up at Uhlawas village in Gurgaon.
Dhankar said the period of construction was extended up to January 7, 2017 on the request of the Trust dated February 28, 2014.

He informed the house that only 1,200 square feet of tin shade has been constructed.

To a supplementary question, Dhankar said if Gram Panchayat proposes to take back the land given on lease for the hospital, then the state government would consider the same.
He further said that land was given to several organizations on lease in the past which also required to be probed.
"There was a time when private companies or trusts were given land under PPP mode or on lease which needs to be probed. Wherever work is not done and the Gram Panchayats wanted the land back, the state government will consider it," he said.
To a question raised by Krishan Pal Panwar, Dhankar said that when the land was given to Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust, the collector rate in that area was Rs 16 lakh and the price of which has now gone up manifold.

He said that villagers also faced "pressure" from vested interests to prevent them from approaching the court again against this project.