CM scraps policy on allotment of plots to Maharashtra’s charitable trusts
Land prices will be brought closer to market rates; Hema Malini may have to pay more
Irked over the land allotment to actress Hema Malini and subsequent controversy, CM Devendra Fadnavis has announced scrapping of the old policy on the allotment of land to charitable trusts. The revised policy, which is expected to be issued in the next few weeks, will increase the rate of the land allotted, bringing it closer to the market rate.
The allotment to Hema Malini, however, would not be affected by the new policy though she may have to pay more than the rates prevailing in 1976. Significantly, revenue minister Eknath Khadse whose department controls land allotment, said he was not aware of any changes proposed in the government policy.
Fadnavis said on Friday that the government resolution (GR) issued in 1984 would be scrapped and replaced with the revised one. The GR has the provision of the land allotment at 25% of the ready reckoner rate, of the land in question, prevailing in 1976. The resolution had lowered the rate, by revising the GR issued first a year before. The state has reportedly allotted hundreds of plots at throwaway prices mainly to the trusts and institutions run by political leaders. “I have asked the revenue department to scrap the 1984-resolution and come out with a revised policy for the allotment of plots,” Fadnavis told HT. The CM said the decision about the rate applicable to the plot allotted to Hema Malini will be taken in the cabinet once the proposal is moved.
Fadnavis has said the government’s endeavour would be to bring the charges, at which the plots are disbursed, close to the market price. “We have been following the 1984 resolution for last three decades. Its high time to revise the rate at which the plots are allotted for charitable trusts and educational institutions. We are also thinking of allotting the plots at different rates for different use. We may also think of exclude some categories to which the plots are allotted will be excluded. The institutions in the professional education may not be considered for the allotment as they no longer adhere to the social cause,” said a highly placed officer from the revenue department.
The officer said the revised policy for the allotment would be issued in next 4-5 weeks. “The GR cannot, however, have the retrospective effect and applicable to the plots allotted at earlier stages. Though the plot allotment to Hema Malini has already been done, no actual possession handed over to the actress by the collector of the Mumbai suburbs and hence the decision related to the rate applicable to it may differ,” he added.
The CM said though plot allotment to Hema stands in-tact, the rate will be discussed in the cabinet.