Kurukshetra: Thanesar Congress MLA Ashok Arora on Tuesday alleged that land mafias in Kurukshetra have illegally constructed a private road on govt land. Raising serious concerns over the issue, Arora met Kurukshetra deputy commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena and demanded strict action against those involved.Addressing a press conference at his office in Kurukshetra, Ashok Arora said the land mafia’s confidence grew to such an extent that they openly encroached on govt land, allegedly with political patronage. He stated that on the Pipli Road, ahead of the new bus stand in Kurukshetra, a private road was constructed on govt-acquired land to provide frontage to commercial plots developed behind it.
Arora explained that the 1-acre land on which the road was built was acquired by the govt in 1988 from Niranjan Singh of Ratgal village. The landowner challenged the acquisition in the Supreme Court, but lost the case. A review petition filed thereafter was also dismissed by the Supreme Court on Aug 8, 2023, with the court clearly recording the rejection in its order. Despite this, the land mafia allegedly used the acquired land to create access and then developed commercial sites on about 2 acres of land behind it.He warned that since the road was constructed through illegal encroachment on govt land, it will eventually be closed, which may cause losses to people who purchased plots lured by the promise of road frontage. Arora said he urged the DC to immediately stop the illegal activity and initiate action against those responsible.The MLA further revealed that when construction of the road began, the land mafia filed another review petition in the high court under a different name, citing the same khasra number. This petition was also dismissed by the high court on Jan 27, 2026. “Despite clear orders from the Supreme Court and the high court, these people are openly defying the judiciary and continuing illegal construction on govt land,” he said.Targeting the state govt, Arora alleged that instead of working in the public interest, those in power focused on facilitating illegal gains. “At a time when pensions of elderly citizens are being cut, the govt should restore those benefits. Instead, attention is only on making money,” he remarked.Old-Age Pension Is About Dignity, Not Income: AroraAshok Arora also criticised the govt over the alleged curtailment of old-age pensions in the state. He said old-age pension was introduced as a mark of respect for senior citizens, and not on the basis of income. “There should be no conditions. Every person above 60 years should receive pension,” he asserted, accusing the govt of withdrawing existing benefits while claiming to provide services at people’s doorsteps.Arora said he would raise both state-level and Thanesar constituency issues in the upcoming Assembly session, including the land mafia case, to prevent the public from being misled. He also alleged that while 76 percent of the population was included under BPL before elections, around 14 lakh BPL cards were cancelled after the polls, adding that the BJP govt’s decisions are causing widespread public distress.MSID:: 128163684 413 |
