State orders probe into Kandivali Mathadi worker land irregularities
On Thursday, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that the state government has ordered an investigation into alleged irregularities regarding the transfer and redevelopment of land originally allotted for Mathadi workers in Kandivali, Mumbai. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, the minister directed the Mumbai Suburban Collector to take possession of the disputed land.
The announcement came in response to a question raised by MLA Haroon Khan regarding the government plot earmarked for the Mathadi workers. Minister Bawankule stated that the state government has taken serious note of the allegations surrounding the transfer and redevelopment of this land.
According to Bawankule, the District Collector will be instructed to investigate the irregularities and take possession of the concerned land. He emphasized that the state government is committed to ensuring justice for the Mathadi workers and remains positive about safeguarding their long-term housing interests.
However, the minister also addressed the concerns of residents who have been living on the land for several years. He noted that if housing societies have come up on land transferred to a private developer, the interests of those residents must also be protected.
Bawankule stated that if any irregularities are established during the inquiry, the government will make an appropriate decision regarding the regularisation of the houses while balancing the interests of the occupants.
The minister also clarified that a portion of the land allotted to Vishal Sahyadri Sanstha had been legally converted into Occupancy Class-I. This conversion received prior approval from the state government after the organization paid the prescribed conversion charges and rectified breaches of conditions in accordance with the applicable rules.
Following the completion of this conversion process, the organization entered into a development agreement. Bawankule assured the Legislative Assembly that the upcoming investigation will determine whether any procedural violations occurred during the transfer and redevelopment of the land.
