150 groups in Navi Mumbai are using Cidco land for profit, alleges NGO

The study, conducted by NGO Awaaz Foundation, found that these organisations have flouted rules to profit off the land

Nearly 150 organisations that were allotted land by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) at concessional rates in Navi Mumbai, have tweaked rules to rake in profits, according to a report.

Cidco allotted approximately 10 lakh square metres of land to around 150 social organisations between 1992 and 2004. (Bachchan Kumar)

The study, conducted by NGO Awaaz Foundation, found that these organisations have flouted rules to profit off the land. “The lands were given to these organisations to build schools, colleges, hospitals and sports facilities. The lease conditions mandated that they charge citizens on a no-profit-no-loss basis. However, they are just making money,” said Rajeev Mishra, secretary, Awaaz Foundation.

The NGO has complained to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis about the irregularities and asked him to take appropriate action. Cidco, the planning authority of Navi Mumbai, allotted approximately 10 lakh square metres of land to around 150 social organisations between 1992 and 2004. The lease condition specified that they should create civic amenities and run them on a no-profit-no-loss basis. However the NGO said all this was on paper only.

“The schools take large donations and also charge high fees. The hospitals are expensive and beyond the reach of the poor despite the poor-patients quota, in which treatment is supposed to be free,” said Mishra. He added that the playgrounds had become clubhouses for the elite.

However, the organisations defended themselves saying that it took lot of money and effort to maintain these places. “It costs crores to create and maintain such an infrastructure. How can we charge less when we have to pay salaries to teachers and all the taxes?’’ asked a trustee of one of the organisations.

Another organisation at Sanpada said there were restrictions in timings but everyone was allowed to enter the premises.

Many politicians have founded charitable organisations to get the Navi Mumbai plots, some being senior Congress and Nationalist Congress Party leaders.

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