DLF-Vadra deal: Khattar govt still taking licence fee

CHANDIGARH: The BJP government in Haryana has over the last two years accepted Rs 91.84 lakh from realty major DLF to renew the commercial licence of the controversial land in Gurgaon that was originally owned by Robert Vadra's company Skylight Hospitality. The BJP has since 2012 projected the deal between Skylight and DLF as a symbol of corruption and had even made it an issue ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Sources say DLF deposited the fee in November 2016 for renewing the licence till December 14, 2018 so that it can keep its claim on the land alive. Interestingly, the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress regime too had accepted renewal fees in February 2013 and May 2014. Though the state government never formally informed DLF about the license being renewed after December 15, 2012, some experts believe that acceptance of the fee amounts to granting "deemed renewal of license". Others however say mere depositing of licence fee does not mean that the licence has been granted.

A DLF spokesperson confirmed to TOI that they have paid all the pending charges and dues for renewal. DLF had paid Rs 58 crore to Vadra's Skylight Hospitality for the land. The reality giant has so far paid Rs 13.66 crore to the department of town and country planning (DTP) for the license on behalf of Skylight. The payment has been made from August 2008 onwards. While Rs 12.74 crore was paid up to July 2014, Rs 91.84 lakh was paid on November 28, 2016.

Interestingly, documents accessed from the Union ministry of corporate affairs, reveal that Skylight Hospitality ceased to be a private company in 2015 and incorporated as limited liability partnership on May 13, 2016. Documents further reveal that the license granted to Skylight Hospitality was valid up to December 14, 2012. Between December 14, 2012 and December 14, 2018, DLF applied for renewal thrice in the name of Skylight.

Records obtained from the DTP further reveal that in-principle approval for transfer of license from Skylight to DLF under Rule 17 of the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Area Rules, 1976, was granted on April 3, 2012. However, final permission was not given. The license was deemed to be terminated due to non-fulfillment of essential conditions, including revenue document showing ownership of land in favour of DLF. Senior bureaucrat Ashok Khemka, as director of land consolidation, had cancelled the mutation of the land in favour of DLF on October 15, 2012.