Face2News/Abohar.

A piece of land reportedly offered by former MLA and AAP halqa incharge Arun Narang to the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to establish a COCO Retail Outlet has come under fire.

Avinash Narang, a social activist, has urged the Central Bureau of Investigation, Punjab Vigilance Commission, Central Vigilance Commission and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited chief (BPCL) to order an inquiry.

He said that BPCL had on November 23, 2021 invited offers through newspapers to take a minimum of 1080 square feet land on lease for setting up COCO retail outlets in the cities falling under Bathinda, Sangrur, Jalandhar regional offices.

Abohar urban area was included in the plan. A former legislator also offered land that was being allegedly used for a brick kiln although the terms of the advertisement clearly stated that no space used for a brick kiln or any outlet existing within the radius of 300 feet would be considered.

He said that rules were violated due to the alleged connivance of the officials concerned and the land in question is also not in an urban area. The Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Dhani Karnail Singh has confirmed in writing that Murabba No. 69, 70 and 92 (where the land in question reportedly existed) is within the jurisdiction of the Gram Panchayat. Similarly, Naib Tehsildar Abohar has confirmed in a letter that 18/1 part of Murabba No. 69 is situated in Dhani Karnail Singh and is outside the limits of Municipal Corporation.

In the complaint sent to the head of the Conservator of Forest Department Punjab, Avinash said that the departmental officials have allegedly tried to benefit the former MLA illegally by concealing the facts about the said land. He demanded high-level inquiry into the episode and said that the tenders for lease of land should be recalled.

Arun Narang confessed that he has given the land on lease to BPCL to run COCO retail outlet but has followed all the rules and regulations.