Dear Madam or Sir: I have in my possession mountain of evidence against I S Bindra's Pvt. Ltd. Firm Punjab Cricket Association. And all of it is in the shape of authenticated documentary evidence, obtained under the RTI Act; viz.
Ø PCA Mohali stadium is constructed over 15 acres of Govt. Land for which no lease deed exists, and this includes 2.36 acres of unauthorized occupation.
Ø Punjab Urban Development Authority has contributed in excess of 11 crores of rupees in the form of 50% share in the construction of stadium, and 80% share in the Club House.Ø PUDA has not till this day received a single paisa in return of its investment or land.
Ø PCA has obtained a loan after mortgaging the stadium, whose title deed is in the name of PUDA
Ø Punjab Excise and Taxation department has given exemption, retrospectively, from paying entertainment tax despite no law empowering it, and against the opinion of the legal and legislative department.
Ø PCA owes the Punjab Police over 2 crores of rupees for security provided. And there have been occasions, when no bills were raised at all; but still PP continues to provide services, in spite of laws in place to the contrary.
Ø PCA has repeatedly been served with notice for multitude of offences.
Ø Advocate General Punjab has categorically advised the government to safe guard its interest with respect to PCA and get vacated illegally occupied land.
Ø PCA has enrolled influential bureaucrats as members against service rules.
Ø Similarly, I have lot of evidence with respect to the stadium announced at Bathinda. For example, cases are pending in different courts by 42 different farmers who owed this land. The said land was acquired for research purposes. Etc. Punjab Agriculture University has strongly protested against the move. And has recommended that if indeed it is carried out then it should be given at the same price as is prevalent on Dabawali- Bathind, Delhi road.
Each of every word mentioned above is supported by concrete evidence.
I wish to conduct a press conference in Mohali, over the said subject; during the course of the IPL tournament. My only desire is that it should be attended by the whole of print and electronic media. For only then, I am interested in conducting this press conference. Please provide your input and opinion, as to how this can be accomplished.
Thank you,
Sarabjit Singh Kahlon
Mob: 98885 64455
Kahlon Villa Opp. Tel. Exchange
VPO Bhattian –Bet, Ludhiana.
Charges framed against Shri I S Bindra
Draft statement of imputation in support of Article of Charges framed against Shri I S Bindra, IAS; the then Secretary, Government of Punjab, Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, Chandigarh
1. That Shri I S Bindra was posted and functioning as Secretary, Government of Punjab Department os Sports and Youth Welfare, Chandigarh, during the period from 13 – 02 – 1991 to 03 – 09 – 1996; and it was his duty to protect / watch the interest of the Punjab Government, Department of Sports & Youth Welfare.
2. That 07 – 05 – 1991; he recorded a Note on the Sports Department file that the area earmarked for cycling velodrome is to be handed over to the Punjab Cricket Association ( PCA) for the construction of Cricket Stadium as per the decision taken by the Governor in a meeting. Whereas the orders of the Governor do not mention any further transfer of land from the Sports Department to the PCA. Sh. Bindra directed the Sports Department, Punjab to pursue the matter and expedite the transfer of land to the PCA.
3. That on 27 – 05 – 1992 Sh. Bindra had ordered in the file of Sports Department that the transfer of land to the PCA for the construction of Cricket Stadium is in accordance with the decision of the Govern – in – Council.[sic] ” No need of Finance Department approval . Approval be conveyed”. Whereas no such decision was ever taken in the meeting of Governor – in – Council in writing as evident from the proceedings of the meeting which took place on 07 – 03 – 1991.
4. That he leased out the land measuring 1.56 acres to the PCA of which he was himself the President, without any authority and occupied excess land measuring 2.62 acres unauthorized.
5. That he was an active functionary, both on behalf of the PCA as well as the Government, he should have taken proper precaution and care to ensure that the required procedures were fairly and faithfully followed. In his attempt to hasten the procedure and adopt shortcut method, he has passed orders for which he was not competent.
6. That formulation of a proper lease deed for the land in occupation and agreement for co-ownership and management of Club House was the pre-requisite between PUDA and PCA; for safeguarding the interest of the Punjab Government. This issue has been deliberately ignored by him and no initiative was taken by him towards arriving at a just and accountable settlement.
7. Thus, Sh. I S Bindra had committed gross irregularities; and he thereby, contravened the Rules of Business of Punjab Government.
Draft Article of Charges framed against Shri I S Bindra, IAS; the then Secretary, Government of Punjab, Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, Chandigarh
1. That Shri I S Bindra while posted and functioning as Secretary, Government of Punjab Department os Sports and Youth Welfare, Chandigarh, during the period from 13 – 02 – 1991 to 03 – 09 – 1996; he had committed gross irregularities and acted in a manner highly unbecoming of a public servant in as much as he bye passed Finance Department at the time of executing the lease with the Punjab Cricket Association and failed to get formal approval of the Government in writing before transferring the land measuring 13.56 acres to Punjab Cricket Association. Not being competent to do so, he gave away valuable Government land to a private organization in which he had a controlling interest. This is unquestionably a most colored exercise of official power and influence.
2. Shri I S Bindra; therefore, committed gross irregularities and thereby contravened Rules of Business of Punjab Government.
Draft statement of imputation in support of Article of Charges framed against Smt. Tejinder Kaur, IAS; the then Chief Administrator, Punjab Urban Development Authority, Chandigarh.
1. That Smt. Tejinder Kaur, IAS, while posted and functioning as Chief Administrator, Punjab Housing Development Board (PHDB) now Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) during the period from August 1991, to April 1993; it was her duty to protect and watch the interest of the property of PUDA.
2. That on 13 – 02 – 1992; she ordered that the land in Sector 63, SAS Nagar ( Mohali) is to be allotted free o cost for constructing a Sports Complex to the Sports Department, Punjab and the land for Cricket Stadium is to be given on long lease at the rate of Rs. 100/= per acre per annum. She further ordered that the area of the Cricket Stadium has been earmarked after discussion with the Secretary Sport, Punjab Government. It will now be 13.56 acres and not 10.31 acres. She further ordered on the same date that terms and conditions may be intimated to the Sports Department, without any loss of time.
3. That there is no order of the competent authority under which Snmt. Tajinder Kaur had enhanced the allotment of land to the PCA for the construction of Cricket Stadium from 10.31 acres to 13.56 acres.
4. Thus, Smt. Tajinder Kaur committed gross irregularities; and she thereby, committed gross irregularities, and she thereby contravened the Rules of Business of Punjab Government as well as rules under PUDA Act.
Draft Article of Charges framed against Smt. Tejinder Kaur, IAS; the then Chief Administrator, Punjab Urban Development Authority, Chandigarh.
1. That Smt. Tajinder Kaur, IAS, while posted and functioning as Chief Administrator, PHDB now Punjab Urban Development Authority, Chadigarh; during the period August 1991, to April 1993; committed gross irregularities and acted in a manner highly unbecoming of a Public Servant in as much as, the initial proposal was to allot 10.31 acres of land to the Punjab Cricket Association, she enhanced the allocation of land to 13.56 acres without proper authorization on 13 – 02 – 1992.
2. Smt. Tajinder Kaur, IAS; therefore, committed gross irregularities and thereby contravened Rules of Business of Punjab Government.
Letter To Punjab CM against I.S.Bindra
To,
The Honorable Chief Minister of Punjab
Punjab Secretariat
Chandigarh
April 14, 2007
Kind attention of Parkash Singh Badal
Subject: Punjab Government should take complete and immediate control of the management of Punjab Cricket Stadium, Mohali, as recommended by a CBI report.
Dear Sir:
I S Bindra, President PCA; and former IAS officer, rules over Punjab Cricket Association as his fiefdom. He is a friend of every government that comes into power. For over two decades, he has reigned over PCA by appointing hand picked members, and not cricketers. Nothing has been done to promote the game of cricket in the state, menace of overage player’s rules. Mr Bindra in connivance with his faithful disciple M P Pandove have despotically ruled over PCA, for the last more then two decades.
CBI has recommended departmental action against Bindra and Tejinder Kaur after they were held prima facie responsible for irregular allotment of public land for the Mohali Cricket Stadium. The CBI concluded that Bindra, while holding the position of secretary, Department of Sports; signed the lease deed himself with the PCA on behalf of the Punjab Government; although he fully knew that he was the president of the PCA and had a personal interest in its functioning. Mr. Bindra disregarded government norms and procedures, which resulted in alienation of valuable state assets.
I wish to give you a brief insight into his past history.
1. In 1992, I S Bindra as Sports Secretary Punjab leases 13.56 acres of PUDA land over to PCA; at a nominal consideration of Rs. 100 per acre per annum. On the other hand, he as President of PCA accepts the lease deed. (It is noteworthy, he had no power to carry out this deal, and presently Punjab State Sports Council has taken him to court for the same.)
2. Additionally, Mr. Bindra siphoned 10.15 crore rupees of government money over to PCA coffers.
3. PCA has encroached upon 2.61 acres of PUDA land. Notices to this effect have been served upon PCA, but never carried out.
4. In 1997, CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal orders a CBI inquiry relating to the allotment of said land.
5. CBI recommended departmental action against Mr. Bindra and Tejinder Kaur, Principal Secretary for illegally allotting prime public land for the cricket stadium.
6. Punjab AG Cheema in his advice dated February 26, 2007, states he following viz.
1. AG has opined against giving clean chit to Mr. Bindra and Tejinder Kaur in view of the serious charges against them.
2. Punjab Government should start the process to take control of the stadium management.
3. Issue directions to the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority to get vacated the encroached area of 2.61 acres under PCA control.
4. CBI report concludes that the Punjab Government’s interest was jeopardized by handing over public land and government money Rs. 10.15 crores by Mr. Bindra to the PCA, which is entirely under his individual control.
5. It is obvious that the misconduct attributed to Bindra is of a much higher degree.
6. Pointing out the role of Tejinder Kaur was at best secondary if not peripheral. “It shall be a travesty of justice to single her out for departmental inquiry when Mr. Bindra has been allowed to escape smoothly. There is no justification for inordinate delay in initiating and completing departmental action against Bindra.
7. The AG has also referred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court judicial verdict in Gurbir Singh vs. Union of India (1999), which held that “there was an intentional and deliberate interference in the investigation of the cases related to PCA by the CBI
7. Ministry of Personnel, Govt. of India; in 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2006 had asked the state to initiate and complete departmental action against Mr. Bindra and Tejinder Kaur.
8. Earlier too PCA faced government takeover for non-payment of Rs. 3, 20,000,00 by way of entertainment tax.
Mr. Bindra has survived for so long by taking on board PCA’s committees governmental personnel associated with PUDA, Excise and Taxation Department and the CM’s office. His only interest is to protect his hegemony; cricket is the last thing on his or his sycophants mind. It is a strange irony while enriching itself from Punjab’s revenue, the benefits are reaped by players from Chandigarh only. PCA has done nothing to promote the game of cricket in Punjab as a whole.
In light of the above facts, I beg upon you to pass requisite orders taking over the management of Punjab Cricket Assoication with immediate effect. Already, each year cricketing careers of countless young players are sacrificed by the callous attitude of Mr. Bindra and his disciple M P Pandove. Governments come and go but not the rein of these two individuals.
Thank you,
Sarabjit Singh Kahlon
Kahlon Villa, Opp. Tel. Exchange VPO Bhattian-Bet.
Ludhiana.
Ph. 98885 64455 0161 2826123 Email right2justice@rediffmail.com