Probe 'deal' between Jaypee Group and Mayawati: SP

Lucknow: Opposition Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh today demanded a CBI probe into the “deal” between a real estate group, which is organizing the Formula 1 event in Greater Noida, and the Mayawati government. “The Jaypee group has been given cheap land of farmers and also given entertainment tax exemption by Mayawati. A CBI probe should be initiated to ascertain partnership of the group with the CM,” party spokesman Rajendra Chowdhury said. [caption id=“attachment_111854” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The Jaypee group has been given cheap land of farmers and also given entertainment tax exemption by Mayawati. Reuters”]  [/caption] The allegations came a day after Supreme Court sought explanation from the Uttar Pradesh government for granting tax exemption to the Jaypee Group for organizing the sporting event in the state. Defending the tax exemption, Sameer Gaur, MD and CEO Jaypee Sports International, has said it “was given to us by the UP state government since Formula 1 is an entertainment industry.” PTI