Question : Memorial on Morarji Desai

(a) whether the Government has received request/proposal from the State Government of Gujarat for paying compensation to Sabarmati Ashram Gaushala Trust towards the land acquired for the memorial of former Prime Minister, Late Shri Morarji Desai;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Union Government thereto including the reasons for delay if any, in taking action in this regard;

(c) whether the Government had constituted a Concept Committee to develop suitable memorial on the Samadhi of Late Shri Morarji Desai named as Abhay Ghat and if so, the details of the action taken thereon; and

(d) the action taken by the Government so far to acquire land for such memorial?

MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM
DR. MAHESH SHARMA

(a) & (b): A request for payment of compensation towards cost of the land was received for the first time in the Ministry in the year 2000. It was examined at length. It was noted that Sabarmati Ashram Gaushala Trust, Ahmadabad had voluntarily offered the land for construction of the Memorial of Shri Morarji Desai at the time of its construction in 1996 and did not as k for the cost of the land.

(c) A concept committee under the chairmanship of Chairman, Sabarmati Ashram Gaushala Trust Ahmadabad, was constituted on 23.2.1996 to develop a suitable memorial on Samadhi of Shri Morarji Desai at Sabarmati, Ahmadabad as part of commemoration of his birth centenary during 1996-1997.

(d) Does not arise as construction of the memorial was started in 1996 and completed in 1999.