Gustakhi Maaf Haryana: Pawan Kumar Bansal

Gurugram, 22 December : At a program titled “Your Minister at Your Door,” organized by a prominent English daily, Haryana’s Industry and Environment Minister, Rao Narbir Singh, made serious allegations of corruption within the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA). Singh claimed that GMDA officials demanded a bribe from him while he was trying to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC), reflecting the “sorry state of affairs” in the city. His accusations, which were reported accurately by the daily, pointed to systemic corruption despite GMDA’s efforts to go paperless and online.

However, a key question remains unanswered: why did Narbir Singh, a senior BJP functionary and former minister at the time of the alleged incident, not lodge a formal complaint with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) against the officer who demanded the bribe? His failure to take action has raised eyebrows, especially since the ACB would not have ignored a complaint from a figure of his stature.

This is not the first time Singh has leveled such allegations. In a meeting with officers in Gurugram, he had earlier accused local officials of engaging in corruption, even naming specific individuals. A video of that meeting was subsequently released to the public. In the recent conclave, the minister also boasted of bringing significant changes to the region, but several questions remain about his role in certain controversial deals and his commitment to addressing long-standing issues in the city.

One such issue is the controversial leasing of prime land on Golf Course Road, Gurugram, to a private company for a health and country club at a negligible price, allegedly costing the state significantly. Additionally, questions persist about illegal construction activities in Gurugram, particularly the felling of trees in the Aravalis and the rise of unauthorized farmhouses. Despite his current portfolio overseeing Environment, Minister Singh seems to remain silent on these critical matters.

Furthermore, the granting of fourth-story construction approvals in HSVP sectors—despite a blanket ban—raises concerns about governance and regulatory oversight. It appears that these matters have not reached the attention of the minister, or he has chosen to ignore them for reasons not yet clear.

While Narbir Singh has criticized officials and boasted of potential reforms, his actions—or lack thereof—seem to suggest a different agenda. Political insiders speculate that his statements are part of a broader strategy to exert control over public servants and extract “a pound of flesh” in exchange for favours. Corruption, it seems, may no longer be an issue in Haryana’s political landscape, where arm-twisting and manipulation are the norm.

Interestingly, Narbir Singh’s own track record on environmental issues raises doubts about his commitment to the cause. As Food and Supplies Minister under the Bansi Lal-led Haryana government, Singh granted licenses to numerous brick kilns in the NCR, ignoring environmental violations. This led to his removal from the portfolio after a report exposed his actions, further highlighting the contradictions in his public persona.

In a final twist, it appears that fellow politician CM Nayab Saini might harbor some jealousy over the extensive coverage that Narbir Singh’s recent event received from the media, a luxury Saini himself was denied when he recently chaired a Grievances Committee meeting.

Author’s Note: The author, known for his critical works on Haryana’s politics, culture, and governance, including the best-selling “Tips for Investigative Journalism,” offers a compelling look at the complex and often contradictory political dynamics of the state. His books have been appreciated by notable figures such as Khushwant Singh, Kuldeep Nayar, Parbash Joshi, Justice PB Sawant, and cricketer Kapil Dev.