The Gujarat Khedut Samaj has decided to approach the Supreme Court after Gujarat High Court dismissed its plea opposing sale of a large tract of land used for cotton research for a commercial project.

The land in question is a vast tract of land, measuring around 65,000 sq mt, in the heart of the city near Ghoddod Road. The land, belonging to Navsari Agricultural University, is in the possession of Cotton Agricultural Research Centre, and has been used for research for decades.

"We are opposed to any plans to sell the land for a hotel or any other commercial project because it will not only adversely affect agricultural research work undertaken by the university, but also have serious environmental and ecological impact on the area," Bipin Desai, president of Gujarat Khedut Samaj, told reporters.

We have approached state government many times stating importance of the land for research purpose, but the government seems determined to sell it off. We have no option but to approach Supreme Court, which we will do soon," Karsan Patel, president of Surat District Khedut Samaj, said.

The land was sought for a hotel project by US-based Chhatrala Group, which had signed an MoU with state government during Vibrant Gujarat 2005 Summit. However, the state government invited open bids for development of properties on the land.

The Chhatrala Group filed a petition in Gujarat High Court, seeking steps to ensure allotment of land to it. The HC rejected the group's contention that state government was legally bound to allot land to it, and dismissed its petition saying the government decision to go for open bidding cannot be dubbed arbitrary.

TANGLED Deal

The land, belonging to Navsari Agricultural University, is in the possession of Cotton Agricultural Research Centre

A US-based group is eyeing the land for a hotel project, while state government has invited open bids for it

DNA Correspondent/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication