It leads to huge loss to exchequer if any Minister takes decision overseeing rules and regulations. Something similar was done by Revenue Minister Mr. Balasaheb Thorat of previous Congress government. During final days of his tenure he gifted 32,182.20 Sq.Km of acquired land at Magathane to Tata Steel Company at very low price, which could have been given to government. This disclosure came through of RTI activist Anil Galgali who requested Chief Minister to cancel this decision. This is a good example of how land acquired from poor people is given to rich. This acquired land could have been used for Public housing but now it will be used for construction of high end luxury apartments.
RTI activist Anil Galgali has got documents related to this land from Mumbai Suburban district office. According to documents on 30th January 1969 government acquired 32,182.20 Sq Kms of land as per Land Acquisition act for extending godown and making residential quarters for laborers of Special Steel Limited. After few Tata steel took over Special Steel and sold a part of the land to private builder. As per the clause 6 of agreement between Government and the Company, before handing over the land to any other party it is mandatory to take permission of government. Also as per Clause 3A of the agreement, the acquired land has to be handed over to government in case there is violation of any rules and regulations.
Tata Steel company in year 2001, gave acquired land of 3,051.80 Sq Kms of land to Builders to develop the land for commercial and residential purposes without informing government nor any permission. After violating the rules mentioned in agreement, company sent a request to Collector of Mumbai Suburban to approve this transfer of land. Looking after multiple options, Government told Tata Steel to return the land back to Government. Later when ruling went on their side & 8 Crores 40 lakhs 14 thousant and 371 rupees deposited as unearning income. After getting help from Bureaucrats, Tata Company applied for transfer of the remaining acquired land of 29,130.40 Sq.kms for commercial and residential development of land. This was in spite of the fact that Government Committee for Land acquisition had decided to reject any proposal from Tata Company that requests for transfer of land for any purpose except for the purpose decided in the beginning, which was approved by Revenue Minister Mr. Thorat himself. After this order Said company paid 44 cr 98 lakh 40 Thousand and 63 Rupees to Government.
Initially Mr. Thorat opposed the illegal transfer of land by Tata Company but now he supports Tatas. Ignoring the interests of Government he rejected the decision taken by Land Acquisition Committee leading to heavy loss to government to the tune of thousands of crores. Tata Steel company violated the rules of the agreement and Mr Thorat misused his position to huge loss. In view of this Anil Galgali has requested Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to reject this transfer of land by Tata Company and make government take over the control of land to build affordable housing for common public. If Government had allowed in 2014 then there is no proof that company had paid fees for Change of User for this land. This makes it clear that without paying any fees to government the land is being commercially developed which is illegal. Collector and Land records department had given proposal to take over the land which was rejected by Government which lead to huge loss to government. In a new govt Former Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse on 21st Nov 2014 issue a order which said that this decision was taken in prior to election and in hurry thus he sent it further to reconsideration. On 20 Feb 2015 Konkan Divisional Commissioner put a up hearing of which no further information is available in records. Even new govt termed it as wrong decision. Anil Galgali has demanded a detail probe in this and stay on ongoing construction at site.
No comments:
Post a Comment