Author: Ganesh Kanate. Amravati
Publication: DNA India
Dated: July 9, 2007
Introduction: Family-run institution swallows
Rs7 crore worth plot for annual rent of Rs2,150
Score one more for the land-grabbing
instincts of the kin of UPA presidential nominee Pratibha Patil. A DNA
investigation shows that an educational institution associated with
Patti had grabbed a plot of land measuring 1,08,900 square feet in Amravati
(150 km from Nagpur).
Its current market value is estimated
upwards of Rs7 crore while the annual lease rent is a princely Rs2,150.
A part of the land was originally reserved
for use by the Amravati division group headquarters of the National Cadet
Corps (NCC). It was instead allotted to the Vidya Bharti Shaikshanik MandaI,
run by Patti's son Raosaheb Shekhawat, by the state government in violation
of rules. Pratibha Patti herself was president of the institution some time
ago.
DNA has in its possession all the five land
record sheets showing how this huge plot had been allotted to the Mandal by
the state government. But there is now a gag order in town. When contacted,
the office of P Padmanabhan, group commander of the NCC's Amravati division,
had this to say: "We have strict instructions from the 'top' not to talk,
discuss or comment about any issue related to Mrs Patibha Patti and her institutions."
The process of grabbing this huge tract of
land adjoining Vidya Bharti Mahavidyalaya began in 1992, when Patti's husband
Devisingh Shekhawat was mayor of Amravati. Records with DNA show
that the then district collector allot ted 1,08,900 sq ft of land from the
original plot number 15 for various education-related activities on February
1,1993.
Vidya Bharti Shaikshanik Mandal had proposed
to use the land to house a students' consumer centre, a canteen, an employees'
cooperative society and a hostel. According to the terms and conditions
of the allotment, the institution was supposed to build all these facilities
within one year. Till date, however, no construction has come up on the site.
The allotment letter clearly says that if the institution violates any of
the terms of allotment, the land can be taken back by the government.
However, despite the fact that the institution has flouted several norms,
including not constructing anything there, the land is still in its possession.
In an earlier Shekhawat land-grab (DNA, July 4), rules relating to the
use of MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) were flouted. Patil apparently
used MPLADS funds for financing an institution associated with her family
- which is not allowed.
Meanwhile, what of the NCC's claim to the
Amravati land? It may be noted here that the NCC used to hold regular Sunday
parades on this ground for decades. But after the land was allotted to the
Vidya Bharti Shaikshanik Mandal, it has been forced to hold its parades and
annual camps at different grounds in different years.
Interestingly; the land record document
issued by the office of Nazul tehsildar asks the Mandal to make the grounds
available for Nee parades whenever the latter requisitions it. However, the
same land record document also suggests that the land had been 'handed
over' to the Mandal on an 'ownership basis'. How can any land be transferred
on ownership basis and still be made available for other uses'?" asks
a senior revenue officer from the Amravati district collectorate.
Attempts by DNA to contact An1ravati
divisional commissioner Sudhir Kumar Goyal failed as he was reportedly
on leave. Lokesh Chandra, additional commissioner of Amravati division
was on tour: So was district collector Purushottam Bhapkar. Amravati
district collector Ravindra Jadhav has a stock reply: "Everything done
in my tenure is in accordance of law."