MHADA zeroes on 21 government plots for violations

Mumbai: Around 21 government plots have come under the scrutiny of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) over breach of conditions by the lessees (to whom property is given on lease). Among the alleged defaulters is Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Azmi who is accused of selling a plot located in Vile Parle without the permission of the MHADA.

The MHADA is preparing the audit report for the past two months. “We have to submit this report to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on December 8, following which we will upload it on our website for citizens to access it,” said a senior MHADA official.

The report revealed that Mr Azmi, who possessed a 463.80 sqm plot in Juhu, Vile Parle, had sold it without the permission of the MHADA. Further, it states that the inquiry is underway into the alleged sale of the plot by Mr Azmi.

The plot was for residential use and was handed over to Azmi between the 1990 and 2000.  

There are a total of 83 government plots in the city, of which irregularities were noticed in 21 plots which were given on lease to several institutions or trusts. In most of the cases, the lessees are pulled up over issues like delaying the proposed construction on the given land, non-payment of dues or lack of paperwork with the authority.  

When contacted Mr Azmi said, “I don’t remember about this property, it is an old matter I think. I don’t know about the investigation.”

In another case, a recreation club at Oshiwara has breached the conditions by denying access to citizens as well as delayed proposed construction on the plot.

Sources revealed that the report was fast-tracked after the PAC started holding regular meetings with the MHADA officials.

“The Comptroller Audit General (CAG) had highlighted lapses of the housing authority earlier in this year, but the Mhada officials did not act immediately against the defaulters and delayed the process of preparing the audit report,” said the official.