Granting Land to The Election Supporter, An Economic Program with Political Purpose!
Taking the big governmental land problems some production companies have into consideration, it is indeed economic injustice of the president Ghani who has granted a large amount of lands to a specific manufacturing company.
According to documents received by the country`s media, president Ghani has granted 144 acres of land in east of Kabul to Alokozay Group of Companies with 90 percent discount.
Based on the Afghanistan Independent Land Authority officials, each acre of this land was first priced at $250000 but later the cabinet reduced the price to $5000: It means lands in the eastern outskirt of Kabul was sold $2.5 (167 afs) per square meter to Alokozay Group of Companies.
Alokozay Group of Companies was a prominent supporter of Ghani during the Afghanistan past presidential election campaign and spent a lot of money to cover the cost of Ghani`s wining.
Ustad Masud as an economic expert regarding the issue told to the Middle East Press that granting this amount of land, located around the Kabul airport, to a company was opposed and raised some questions.
“Lands in this district of Kabul are very precious; it is rent $100 per each square meter but when it is sold $3 per square meter is very surprising” he added
Ustad Masud believes this amount of land could have been distributed to 10 to 20 different companies to establish an industrial town manufacturing several product items.
“Alokozay Group of companies is said to use this land for paper production: Although is a good action, is not an economic and manufacturing priority to Afghanistan. Other companies also has the right to be given governmental lands” said Ustad Masud
He added if this land granting is reviewed, it will have more effectiveness.
Is granting this amount of governmental land by president to a private company an economic injustice?
As an answer, Ustad Masud said economy all over the world is stained with injustice and it is the same in Afghanistan.
He says the economic prejudice tendencies resulted from the political prejudices; Value of this land is so high that if the company cannot get most of it, the big question of granting by president will be unanswered.
“In Afghanistan impossible is meaningless: here we can make possible impossible and vice versa. The president by a legislative decree can have his ideal works done” said Ustad Masud
Pointing to Wolesi Jirga, he added that the parliament raises the issue after 2 years is questionable.
“Now that the land having been granted is considered an economic purpose if it is reclaimed, it will be a political movement” Masud said
Abduljabbar Safi, deputy Industry Association of Afghanistan, also tells the Middle East Press that the government should distribute lands to all companies.
“For 2 and half years, no lands have been given to any companies; regardless of being friends and supporters, each company has the right to receive lands” he added
Calling for land distribution to all companies, Safi considered this government action as economic and governmental injustice.
Referring to land being given to companies in Lugar industrial town, Jalalabad, Sanat Karan, Maidan Shahr and 4th phase in Herat, Safi said like Alokozay Group of Companies, all companies should be given governmental lands.
MPs after being silent toward the case for 2 years, have raised their voices and based on the ministers of finance and commerce saying, decided to suspend selling lands in Kabul eastern suburb to Alokozay.
