Maharashtra CS gets 250 T-20 free passes from MCA

What would a cricket lover not do to gain a single free pass to India- West Indies T-20 semifinal match to be played at Wankhede stadium on Thursday? Maharashtra's top bureaucrat chief secretary Swadhin Kshatriya could easily be termed as the 'most envied cricket fan' on this count. Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has gratiously gifted him 250 free passes for this premium T-20 encounter. RTI activist Anil Galgali points to the 'conflict of interest' in acceptance of this generous bounty of free tickets. A letter written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Galgali stated that Joint secretaries of MCA Dr P.V. Shetty and Prof. Uday Khanvilkar have issued 250 free passes along with letter on Associations letterhead dated 26th March 2016. Last year, MMRDA had issued a notice on 2nd June 2015 to MCA for voilation of lease by letting out ground at Bandra Kurla complex for commercial activities. Activist Anil Galgali had filed an RTI query with the MMRDA seeking information about the plot allotted to the Mumbai Cricket Association in the Bandra Kurla Complex last year. The MMRDA replied that MCA was allotted plot ad-measuring 52,157 sq mtrs on 05/03/2004 ,on a lease for 80 years for which MCA was charged a meagre Rs 2,65,98,202. The MMRDA also gave a FSI of 1.5 on allowing 15% construction on 10% of the plot, 23 % of the plot was meant for construction of Swimming pool, Tennis Courts, Cricket Nets and similar sporting activities. The rest 67% of the land was meant to be kept open for regulated public use. Similarly students from all over Maharashtra be admitted to the Indoor Cricket Academy. The MCA flouted the most important terms and condition of non commercial utilization of the plot by entering into a commercial agreement with M/s Shirke Infrastructure. MMRDA taking cognizance of this violation of its terms of allotment, citing the commercial agreement with M/s Shirke Infrastructure has issued a notice on 02/06/2015 to MCA to take rectification steps within 3 months or the lease agreement will be terminated. Anil Galgali, who has been following up this matter, said MMRDA has done precious little during last 10 months in this case. This fact cannot be overlooked that CS Kshatriya is Chief of Executive Committee of MMRDA. Galgali has expressed his dismay that top boss of Maharashtra administration could fall prey to such free ticket bonanza. Galgali has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to hold enquiry to reveal the truth.