Maharashtra to probe Rs6,000-cr MHADA loss

Government to question builders who did not hand over flats measuring 1.25L square metre in lieu for additional FSI

The state government on Tuesday announced it will constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to question developers who failed to hand over flats measuring 1.25 lakh square metre, worth Rs6,000 crore, to the Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority (MHADA). The flats were to be handed over by the builders to the state government, in lieu of additional floor space index allotted by the government towards redeveloping 432 cessed buildings — structures whose occupants pay repair tax to MHADA — in the city.

Members of Swabhimani Shetkari Paksha, a farmers’ outfit, throw onions at the cars of minister outside the Vidhan Bhavan on Tuesday.(Anshuman Poyrekar)

The minister of state for housing, Ravindra Waikar, announced in the legislative assembly that the state will also withdraw the permissions for those projects that are more than ten years old. The minister also announced it will take strict action against MHADA officials responsible for the irregularities.

The minister said, “In many cases the construction has not yet started or is under progress. Of the 33 projects under scanner, 29 are being probed by the economic offences wing and the charge sheet has been filed. MHADA has served the notice for the attachment of the properties of these builders. We have received 6367 square metre and and Rs 90 lakh towards the FSI.”

To enable the redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings and to make revamp feasible, MHADA had allotted additional FSI in lieu of premium and houses from the builders. Of the 432 projects in which such an incentive was given, the builders failed to hand over the tenements measuring 1.25 lakh square metre.

The MHADA had allotted FSI of 1.56 lakh square metre, against which the tenements measuring 31,319 square metre has been handed over by the builders.

BJP legislator Ashish Shelar, during the question hour , demanded action against the builders. Congress legislator Nitesh Rane demanded action against the CEO and chief engineer of MHADA for failing to recover the houses.

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