Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule told the legislative assembly on Friday that the entire process of allotting land to the Khadi Gramodyog Association (Kora Kendra), a private trust in Borivali, was legal and did not involve any violation of rules, reported news agency PTI.
The issue was raised in the state assembly by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai.
Responding to it, the Revenue Minister said the land, measuring 39 acres and 22 gunthas, was originally allotted to the trust between 1947 and 1953 for just Rs 13,375.
However, over time, certain conditions were found to be breached. Following the high court`s directives, the land was converted from Class II to Class I as per the rules, and 50 per cent of the market value was recovered, reported PTI.
Bawankule further clarified that under the 2019 policy, the conversion process from Class II to Class I land is entirely transparent and free from any irregularities. The trust has fulfilled all the necessary conditions.
The trust is undertaking social development projects worth approximately Rs 650 crore, including a modern hospital, a meditation centre and service-based community facilities. These initiatives are expected to significantly benefit the underprivileged people in Borivali area by providing access to advanced medical and mental health services, he said, reported PTI.
The land transfer has been carried out in strict adherence to legal procedures, without granting any special concessions or exceptions. This project, the minister stated, will in the future stand as a unique blend of health and spirituality for the people of Borivali, he added.
Maharashtra govt promises action to protect mangroves; `positive about carbon credits`
Action will be taken to stop the destruction of mangrove forests in Maharashtra, and the government is mulling giving carbon credits for the protection of mangroves on private land, it said on Friday.
The issue of threats to mangrove forests along the coast was raised in the legislative assembly by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav.
A survey is underway from the Gujarat border to Goa and it will provide information about the exact area under mangroves, Forest Minister Ganesh Naik said during the Question Hour.
“Instructions have been given to install CCTV cameras for the protection of mangrove forests in Palghar district. Officials of the Forest, Revenue and Home departments have been instructed to patrol these areas by turns. If (construction) debris from Mumbai is found being dumped in mangrove forests, legal action will be taken,” Naik said.
For the protection of mangroves on private land, the Government is positive about giving carbon credits to the owners, said environment minister Pankaja Munde.
Replying to a question by BJP MLA Sneha Dubey about encroachment on mangroves forests in Palghar district, she assured that strict legal action will be taken, adding that offences have already been registered in 19 cases.
(With inputs from PTI)
