Private builders under scanner in Uttaranchal

Private builders who acquired huge chunks of land in Nainital and Almora, in the Kumaon region, for building colonies, are coming under the scanner.

Amid controversy over land grabbing in the Kumaon Himalayas under the pretext of setting up of colonies, the Uttaranchal government today announced it would hold an inquiry and take action against the guilty.

A builder has allegedly floated different construction companies, and purchased land at throwaway prices to build colonies.

"We have received a report from the Nainital District Magistrate, and the report wanted to cancel the land deal with the Central Himalayan Land Development Company and others. So, we are holding the inquiry in the matter," Forest Minister Nav Prabhat told after Ajay Bhatt (BJP) and others raked up the issue.

Stating that the guilty would be punished, Prabhat said nearly 74 trees were cut down in the area.

He also said the government had imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on the company which felled these trees.