Fadnavis govt waives Rent of Rs 59 lakhs recoverable from Eknath Khadse and Dr Vijaykumar Gavit

At the time when the state coffers are cash strapped and govt has huge burden of loans to be paid, the Devendra Fadnavis govt is showing largesse to its two prominent leaders by waiving Rs 59 lakhs recoverable from them by the government and has come to knowledge due to an response to an RTI query. In response to the RTI query filed by RTI Activist Anil Galgali, Rent amounting to Rs 15.49 Lakhs due on Eknath Khadse and Rd 43.84 Lakhs due on Dr Vijay Kumar Gavit was waived on an order issued to the PWD department.

RTI Activist Anil Galgali had sought information from the PWD department about the penalty dues status of Former Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse and Former Minister Dr Vijayakumar Gavit. The City division of the PWD in a response to the query provided Galgali with the copy of the order issued by the government waiving the recoverable of penalty levied on the 2 leaders. The State Government waived the penalty amounting to Rs 60 lakhs payable by the two top BJP leaders as a 'special case' and the General Administration department issued orders to the effect to the PWD department.

Eknath Khadse was levied a penalty amounting to Rs 15,49,974/- for overstaying in the Ramtek bungalow beyond his allowed period post his resignation as Revenue Minister. Khadse had resigned as Minister on 4th June 2016 but vacated the bungalow on 19th November 2016. Khadse applied to the government seeking waiver of penalty on 26th March 2018 which was considered as a ' Special Case' . Similarly Dr Vijayakumar Gavit who was a Minister in the DF government had been allotted a flat admeasuring 3330 sq ft in the Suruchi building during his stint as minister, which was not vacated by him after ceasing to be a Minister. Gavit had resigned as Minister on 20th March 2014 but had continued to occupy the flat, which he eventually vacated on 29th July 2016. He was liable to pay a penal rent of Rs 43,84, 500/-, which he didn't pay. Finally he applied for a waiver form paying the charge vide an application dt 29th July 2018 and the same again was considered as a ' Special Case' on 22nd October 2018. 

Anil Galgali has expressed surprise over the largesse of waiver penalty granted by the government to the 2 BJP leaders and stated disappointment as the state coffers are empty and yet the government is waiving lakhs of rupees . In a letter addressed to CM Devendra Fadnavis, Galgali has demanded that the said dues waived as a 'Special Case' should be immediately recovered with interest.