MUMBAI: A political storm has erupted over the state cabinet 's decision to directly allot 5 hectares in Nagpur's Koradi area for educational purposes to a trust headed by state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule , overriding objections raised by the finance and revenue departments. The land allotted to Shri Mahalakshmi Jagdamba Sansthan is worth Rs 4.8 crore, according to state govt's Ready Reckoner (RR) rate.
The finance department had pointed out the trust did not qualify for direct allotment because it neither has "long experience" in the field of higher and technical education nor is it a renowned institution. Sources said the proposal for direct allotment, which does away with the procedure of advertising the plot and inviting other applications, was not on the agenda and was presented at the last minute in Monday's cabinet meeting. It was passed without any discussion or a prior note being circulated to explain the proposal.
The opposition has accused the state govt of looting public land. "The Mahayuti govt has distributed Rs 5 lakh crore of public land. Prime land is being given at 25% of the RR rate," alleged Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar.
"When the MVA govt comes to power in two months, we will probe such cases," said NCP (SP) neta Anil Deshmukh. "From Vinoba Bhave's slogan that all land belongs to Govinda, the BJP's slogan is all land belongs to Devabhau (Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis) and he will distribute it to whoever he wants," alleged Shiv Sena (UBT) leader.