Congress indicts CM in Cidco land scam

Mumbai: The Congress has leveled allegations against Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis over a ‘land scam’ in Navi Mumbai. According to the Congress, Cidco land, which was given to project-affected people for agricultural purposes has been denotified for development purposes by the revenue department. According to the Congress, the formerly reserved 24 acres given to eight farmers, has allegedly been bought by private developers for peanuts. However, due to the denotification, the land's rates will go up significantly, to the sole advantage of the developer.        

"Almost 24 acres of land close to New Mumbai airport was given to eight farmers affected in Koyna dam project. But the owners of a private developing company called  Paradise, Manish Bhatija and Sanjay Bhalerao, forcefully took that land from farmers. The market cost of this land is about '1,767 crore. But these developers paid only '15 lakh per acre, which means that the farmers received only '3.60 crore. People residing on this plot were forcefully evacuated with the help of private security as well as police,” alleged Randip Surjewala, head of the Congress communication department.

“This land comes under Cidco. But the tehsildar office of Raigad has cleared the transfer of this land to the builder. And Cidco didn’t object to the process. This is not possible without the active intervention of the revenue and urban development ministry’s highest authority. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is urban development minister also. Therefore, this matter should be probed under judicial authority," demanded former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan. The party also alleged that BJP MLC Prasad Lad helped in the deal. The party’s city chief Sanjay Nirupam alleged that the builder was is close to Mr Lad.

Meanwhile, state BJP chief spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said the Congress allegations politically were motivated charges against the chief minister.