Mumbai: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has lodged a complaint against state tourism minister Jaykumar Rawal in the state’s Lokayukta office. The party has alleged that Mr Rawal bought land in Vikharan village despite the ban on sale or transaction of land. The NCP spokesperson, Mr Nawab Malik has demanded an inquiry into the case and also the resignation of Mr Rawal from state cabinet.
The 84-year-old Dhule farmer Dharma Patil, who died after consuming poison, hailed from Vikharan village. However, Mr Rawal has dismissed the allegations saying that he will initiate defamation proceedings against Mr Malik.
Mr Malik had levelled the allegations after Patil’s death on Sunday following the consumption of poison on January 22. Patil had sought the government’s help after receiving inadequate compensation for his five-acre plot that was acquired for an energy project. Mr Malik has levelled serious allegations against Mr Rawal of becoming a land mafia in the area of Vikharan tehsil, Sindkheda district, Dhule. He has produced papers which show that Mr Rawal is a landowner in Vikharan village where Mr Dharma had his land. According to Mr Malik, the minister had bought land despite it being illegal to buy land for which the government has also issued an acquisition notice.
Nawab Mallik
On Wednesday, Mr Malik along with NCP women’s wing chief, Chitra Wagh and spokesperson Sanjay Tatkare, reached the state Lokayukta’s office to lodge a complaint against Mr Rawal. He has submitted all the documents showing the sale of the land as well as the copies of the 7/12 documents as well as Mr Rawal’s press note.
“After land acquisition process for the project started, Mr Rawal bought land in the area. Not just that he gets all the benefits of compensation. We expect that there will be an investigation into the matter and he will be sacked from the ministry,” said Mr Malik, after filing the complaint.
The Opposition has called the state ‘murderous’ and demanded strict action against the guilty.
