The Hindu : Taj construction: U.P. Opposition seeks probe

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 24, 2003

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Taj construction: U.P. Opposition seeks probe

By Our Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW JUNE 23. Opposition leaders in Uttar Pradesh have demanded an enquiry by a sitting High Court judge to fix responsibility for unauthorised construction in the backyard of the Taj Mahal at Agra that has since been stopped by the State Government.

The construction work undertaken in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal was a blatant violation of guidelines issued by the Union Government.

The Chief Minister, Mayawati could not get away with an explanation that she had come to know of these activities only now.

The Samajwadi Party general secretary, Reoti Raman Singh, addressing a press conference here today alleged that the illegal activities in the backyard of the Taj Mahal smacked of some deep-rooted conspiracy at the international level as the monument was a World Heritage site. Only an enquiry by a sitting High Court judge could unravel the full dimensions of the conspiracy.

The Uttar Pradesh Congress president, Jagdambika Pal, addressing a separate press conference echoed similar sentiments, saying that mere stoppage of the unauthorised construction work was not enough. The directives issued by Ms. Mayawati to this effect had hardly brought the curtain down on the issue.

An enquiry by a sitting judge alone could pinpoint the culprits, he said.

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