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Government cancels extra FSI to DB Realty for project in Pune
In a major blow to Shahid Balwa-owned DB Realty, the state government has decided to cancel the additional floor space index (FSI) granted to the company for a project in Pune.
In a major blow to Shahid Balwa-owned DB Realty, the state government has decided to cancel the additional floor space index (FSI) granted to the company for a project in Pune.
In 2009, the company was awarded the contract to develop Section 12 of the Pimpri-Chinchwad New Town Planning Development Authority (PCNTDA). Spread over 53 hectares, the state government granted an additional FSI of 2.5 as against the permissible FSI of 1.
As per current rules, DB Realty was eligible for the extra FSI only for seven hectares of land, which was to be used for a slum rehabilitation scheme.
However, chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan who is against doling out sops to builder signed an order cancelling the allotment of the additional FSI on Tuesday night.
While refusing to share any details, TC Benjamin, principal secretary, Urban Development Department (UDD), confirmed the decision to cancel the additional FSI.
The UDD, which is headed by the CM, will also be issuing a circular to all local self-government bodies in the state making it clear that they should not make any changes in the their development control rules without the consent of the state government.
“We have not received any notification from PCNTDA cancelling the 2.5 FSI granted to our project at Pimpri-Chinchwad,” a DB Realty spokesperson said.
Last month, leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse had raised the issue of gross irregularities while sanctioning additional FSI to DB Realty.
He also alleged that Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar’s family had links with the realty group. Chavan had assured him he would look into the matter.
Meanwhile, the decision by the CM to cancel the additional FSI comes at a time when the Congress and NCP’s 12-year-old relationship has almost hit rock bottom.
The NCP is miffed with the Reserve Bank of India’s decision to appoint administrators for the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank.
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