Govt takes back 3,000cr plot from builder

Mumbai: In a first-of-its-kind verdict in the recent past, Mumbai suburban collector Sanjay Deshmukh on Monday revoked the allotment of a 66-acre piece of land near Kanjurmarg station to leading developer Jolly Brothers. The order was cancelled on account of violation of lease conditions. 
    A senior bureaucrat told TOIthat Deshmukh, during the quasi-judicial proceeding, heard the contention of both Jolly Brothers' nominee and the revenue department. He then passed an order that the allotment of the land, reportedly worth Rs 3,000 crore, be cancelled. 'Bungalows on land for guards, workers' 
Mumbai: Suburban collector Sanjay Deshmukh has said builder Jolly Brothers must return a 66-acre plot to the government. The revenue department, during the proceedings, was represented by the tehsildar. 
    The 66 acres were allotted to the developer for industrial use by the revenue department on June 21, 1995. However, when the tehsildar visited the site recently, he saw that Jolly Brothers had not only constructed seven bungalows on a part of the land but had also entered into an agreement with Vijaynagar Enterprises to develop the land for residential purposes. He also found the office of another builder—Ajmera Developers—on the site. 
    Jolly Brothers submitted before the collector that there was no breach of lease conditions and the seven bungalows on the site were constructed to provide accommodation to the workers and security guards. The developer also declared that the agreement with Vijaynagar Enterprises had been terminated long ago. "Development of the land, change of use has been permitted by the government on certain conditions. Since the land is within the coastal regulation zone, there was no question of construction of any building, and as such the company has not violated the lease conditions," it submitted. 
    In his four-page order, Deshmukh observed that in view of a crucial report submitted by the tehsildar, there appeared to be a link between Jolly Brothers and Ajmera Developers since the latter's office was located on the site. "Jolly Brothers has not given any statement on its link with Ajmera Developers. It has failed to utilize the land for the purpose for which it was allotted. Under such circumstances, since there is a breach of lease conditions, I am cancelling the land allotment order, and the land will be restored to the government," Deshmukh said in his order. 
    The senior bureaucrat said the revenue department had asked all collectors across the state to examine if there were violations of lease conditions on land allotted to people. "An intensive survey on revenue lands in the suburbs is complete," said the bureaucrat. "Revenue officials have submitted specific reports on several breaches of lease conditions. Accordingly, action will be taken against the lease holders after following the due process of law."

The Kanjur Marg plot allotted to Jolly Brothers