Times of India: Nagpur: Sunday,
March 09, 2014.
The ULC
Competent Authority and the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) are protecting a
builder who reaped profits at the expense of housing scheme for weaker section.
The authorities are not only turning a blind eye towards encroachment on open space
but also neglecting takeover of the land meant for public purpose despite
strict orders from the civic chief two years ago.
The case is
related to layout adjacent to Hotel Radisson Blu on Wardha Road. Documents
obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by activist TH Naidu have
exposed how the authorities favoured builder Vijay Dangre despite brazen
violations.
ULC Competent
Authority had released the ULC surplus land admeasuring 2.12 lakh sq ft to
Dangre, power of attorney holder of Rajaram Dhanwate and others, by sanctioning
layout for weaker section under the Talegaon Dabhade scheme on April 2, 2003.
The ULC authority was supposed to ensure development of 98 plots or flat
schemes for weaker section by 2008. In case of failure, it was supposed to take
possession of the land and pass on the benefits to weaker section. Dangre sold
non-vacant land of the same khasras to the private company which constructed
Hotel Radisson Blu. But he did not develop plots or flat schemes for weaker
section even after the deadline.
Dangre got
the layout plan revised from the NMC town planning department on May 19, 2007,
reducing the number of plots to only four. The NMC was supposed to get
possession of the 53,854.44 sq ft open space. Now, the five start hotel has
encroached upon the open space by utilizing some area for parking and remaining
for plantation. Most shocking is that the NMC officials from town planning
department and estate department are sitting pretty despite orders from the
civic chief to take possession of the land in May 2012.
The NMC
estate department has refused to take possession of the land hinting at
possibilities of short of open space and encroachment by Hotel Radisson Blu.
NMC official from town planning department said Laxmi Nagar zone office has
been directed to measure the open space and free it from encroachment.
"Estate department will be then asked to take over the open space,"
he said.
Official from
ULC department said notice was issued to Dangre and further action will be
taken soon. "Dangre has to develop plots or flat schemes on the land for
weaker section. The land cannot be utilized for commercial purpose or it will
be taken back," he said.
The notice
was issued on March 28, 2012, but if sources are to be believed, the builder
did not even respond. However, no action has been taken against Dangre yet.
Open
violation:
· ULC
authority released 2.12 lakh sq.ft surplus land to builder Vijay Dangre on
April 2, 2003, and sanctioned layout under Talegaon Dabhade scheme
· Builder
was supposed to utilize non-vacant land and develop plots or flat schemes for
weaker section within five years
· Builder
raked in moolah by selling non-vacant land on which Hotel Radisson Blu came up
· Builder
got layout plan revised from NMC on May 19, 2007, reducing number of plots from
98 to only four, which are vacant till date
· NMC
neglecting takeover of 53,854.44 sq ft open space for public use
· Five-star
hotel utilizing some area of open space for parking and remaining for
plantation
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