VJAS ask CM to order CBI probe against MADC, First City developer-HITAVADA

VJAS, activists ask CM to order CBI probe against MADC, First City developer

Staff Reporter

Apparently annoyed over brazen violation of directives issued by Board of Approvals (BoA) of Union Commerce Ministry to MADC and M/s Reatox Builders which is coming up with First City within MIHAN-SEZ area, not to sell residential units to outsiders, several organisations and activists have demanded stern action and fair probe into the issue.

Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti has charged the MADC bosses and M/s Reatox Builders with wanton irregularities and demanded a CBI probe into the alleged scam. Looking into the seriousness of the issue of allotting subsidised land, relaxation of all conditions, granting extra land at throwaway price and now open sale of flats, is nothing short of a major scandal and deserves thorough probe and CBI inquiry, the VJAS demanded in a detailed complaint dashed to new Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Saturday.

M/s Reatox Builders bagged 31 acres of land for Rs 72 lakh per acre when a nearby land owned by the Patel family fetched a whopping Rs 2.55 crore per acre in one of the most expensive land deals in the region. If that is a market bench-mark, then the MADC could have earned close to Rs 75 crore from promoters of ‘First City’ project. Instead, the Government company received only Rs 22 crore. Who is responsible for this loss of Rs 53 crore? Several social workers of repute have alleged that MADC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director R C Sinha needs to come clean on this issue, since he has been the virtual face of MADC and MIHAN-SEZ all along.

MADC had permitted M/s Reatox to consume 2.5 FSI for ‘First City’ project within the SEZ to construct houses for "persons directly connected with SEZ." M/s Reatox Builders had planned 18-storied towers, but the Airports Authority of India (AAI) curtailed the height since it was in aircraft landing funnel area. Ostensibly to compensate for this loss of five floors in each of the proposed twelve towers, M/s Reatox got an additional tract of 10 acres of land, which surprised many.

"We are happy to note that you are keen to provide clean administration in Maharashtra and eradicate corruption hence I am forwarding the very serious issue regarding brazen abuse and on going corruption in MIHAN Nagpur by M/s Reatox Builders and Developers, in sale of upcoming First City residential project in MIHAN-Special Economic Zone. First City developers have not been authorised to lease the residential units also to persons from outside the SEZ area, as per law of the land but they are befooling people through major publicity campaign by claiming that they have been empowered by MADC to sale the flats to anybody in the world.

"These malpractice’s are being promoted by one of the nationalised bank by giving 90% loan as against Reserve Bank of India norms which set a limit on home loans, limiting the loan amount to 80 per cent of the property value," the VJAS complaint stated while expressing surprise as to how can a nationalised bank go beyond RBI guidelines. A separate complaint has been lodged already with the Union Finance Ministry and RBI.

Tiwari has urged Chvan to expedite the probe ordered by his predecessor and, if necessary, order a CBI probe.

Vigilant citizen Anil Wadpalliwar, too, has demanded immediate and stringent action against MADC bosses and First City Developers. The Chief Minister should intervene and stop the illegal construction and sale of flats to gullible public, he demanded while seeking an impartial probe into all land allotted by MADC MD R C Sinha. Since Chief Minister is ex-officio Chairman of MADC, he must ensure that his personal image is not tarnished due to First City Scam, Wadpalliwar has stated in his complaint.

Prof. Ajay Patki of Swadeshi Jagran Manch has demanded complete audit of land allotted within MIHAN-SEZ. Citing recent Vedanta judgement of Orissa High Court, Prof Patki stated that audit will reveal, malpractice’s and favours, if any, shown to a chosen few.

Several organisations which have already approached High Court against MADC’s land scam and particularly lands allotted to Satyam and First City, too have demanded stern action against erring officers and developers violating all norms.

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