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Mumbai Congress alleges Rs 1,767 cr land scam by Fadnavis
Mumbai, July 2 (IANS) The Mumbai Congress on Monday leveled a sensational allegation against Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, accusing him of handing over a prime plot of land in Navi Mumbai to a builder for a pittance.
Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam and party’s national spokesperson Ranjeet Singh Surjewala told media persons that the Fadnavis government has transferred 24 acres of land worth around Rs 1,767 crore, to Paradise Builders, for a measly Rs 3.60 crore only.
The plot in question is on the satellite city on the mainland and belongs to the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDC), they said, adding it was reportedly intended to rehabilitate project affected persons and farmers of the Koyna Dam project.
Terming it a mega scam, Nirupam and Surjewala have demanded an investigation by two sitting judges of Bombay High Court.
“Causing loss to the public exchequer and betraying the poor in order to shower the rich crony friends is deeply intrinsic character of the BJP. The ‘suit-boot’ governments at the centre and in BJP-ruled states seek to outbid each other in benefitting their handful of crony friends,” said Nirupam.
Elaborating on the charge, Nirupam, detailing the modus operandi, said in 2017, Paradise Builders sought land in Navi Mumbai close to the upcoming international airport and officials allegedly identified gullible farmers ousted in the Koyna Dam project to getting CIDCO land allotted and then transferring it to the realtor.
In February this year, the Raigad Collector allotted the 24 acres of land in village Ranjanpada to eight ousted farmer families, while “the Paradise Buildes had already entered into an agreement to transfer this land for Rs 15 lakh per acres with the farmers”, he said.
“The CIDCO and Urban Development Department (UDD) headed by Fadnavis gave their NOC to denotify the land so it could be transferred to the builder,” he added.
All other formalities were completed speedily and the builder was given the possession of the land last month, at a pittance of Rs 15 lakh per acre, when CIDCO had sold adjoining lands for a staggering Rs 184,000 per square metre.
The Congress leaders also asked who were the eight farmers and how were they identified, how were they allotted prime CIDCO land instead of agricultural land, how the builder made agreements of sale with the farmers which they sold immediately after allotment for a pittance compared to the market value.
They sought to know what is the relationship between CIDCO-UDD and Paradise Builders, and why they secured Fadnavis’ blessings for a ‘sweetheart deal’ at a pittance of Rs 3.6 crore for prime land worth around Rs 1,767 crore, and the alleged irregularities by the concerned government departments who colluded to facilitate the deal.
However, state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Madhav Bhandari promptly dismissed all the allegations terming them as “false and baseless”, while Fadnavis’ close confidante and legislator Prasad Lad threatened to file a Rs 500 crore defamation against the Congress.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.