Alleged Rs. 1,700cr land scam triggers BJP-Congress war in Maharashtra
What's the story
A day after the Congress alleged a Rs. 1,767cr land scam in Navi Mumbai carried out "with the blessings of CM Devendra Fadnavis," the leader has denied it, saying he is ready for any probe.
The land in question didn't belong to the CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation), but to the government, he clarified.
The district collector had the authority to allot land, he added.
'Scam'
'Land worth Rs. 1,767cr acquired for just Rs. 3.6cr'
According to the Congress, the Fadnavis-led BJP government had helped a private builder "illegally acquire" 24 acres of CIDCO-owned land at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.
Instead, the government had portrayed it was compensating families displaced by the Koyna power project, Congress claimed.
The builder in question, Manish Bhatija of Paradise Builders, is allegedly an associate of BJP MLC Prasad Lad, and acquired the land for just Rs. 3.60cr.
"Sweetheart deal"
'Collector alloted land without having any authority'
Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the collector allotted 24 acres to Bhatija "without having any authority" on February 26.
"Showing astonishing speed, a survey of the land was conducted on May 14 and mutation done the same day. The same day, Paradise Builders took powers of attorney from all eight beneficiaries."
While Paradise paid Rs. 15L/acre, others were buying land for Rs. 1.85/sq meter, he alleged.
Questions
Surjewala has some questions for Fadnavis
Surjewala put some questions to Fadnavis: "What is the relationship between CIDCO/Urban Development and Paradise Builders?"
"Does Bhatija enjoy blessings of Fadnavis who enabled the sweetheart deal?"
"Who identified the eight oustees and land, and how did the builder enter into agreements?"
"Why didn't CIDCO object to allotment without denotification?"
And lastly, "isn't it a clear-cut case of violation of law and misuse of public-authority?"
BJP
Congress desperate for scam under Fadnavis government: BJP
Hitting back, BJP Spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said the land was worth Rs. 5.29cr and not Rs. 1,767cr, and that it belonged to the government and not CIDCO.
"A resident had challenged this allotment in Bombay HC which upheld the allotment," Bhandari added.
Congress had stooped to a "new low" and was desperate for a scam under the Fadnavis government, he claimed.
Quote
Ready to face any probe, have nothing to hide: Fadnavis
Iterating that the collector was empowered to make the allotment, Fadnavis said, "The matter has not come to me yet," but he added his government was willing to face any probe as it had nothing to hide.