Nashik MHADA quota row: Maharashtra forms SIT to probe alleged EWS reservation violations

Verification by the Land Records Department covered 128 cases, of which 49 revealed instances of fraud. Representational Pic

Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will probe alleged irregularities in the implementation of the MHADA quota in Nashik, warning that those denying the poor their rightful homes will not be spared.

Allegations over 20 per cent quota for EWS and LIG

The decision comes in the wake of alleged irregularities in the implementation of the 20 per cent MHADA quota reserved for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low-Income Groups (LIG) in Nashik.

SIT formed under Nashik divisional commissioner

According to PTI, on the directions of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the SIT has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Nashik divisional commissioner and will comprise senior state officials.

"No one will be spared," says Bawankule

Bawankule, in an official statement, said, "People who choke the rights of the poor and deprive them of their entitlements, no matter how influential they are, will not be spared."

Report to be submitted within one month

The SIT will submit its report within one month, the revenue minister added, PTI reported.

According to the statement, the probe will focus on layouts exceeding 4,000 square metres, where developers allegedly failed to reserve 20 per cent of land or units for the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), as mandated under a notification dated November 8, 2013.

Action against developers and officials

The SIT will examine recovery of reserved land, recommend disciplinary action against erring officials and employees, and propose criminal proceedings against landowners or developers found responsible for the irregularities.

It will also suggest measures to prevent such violations in the future.

Several builders in Nashik allegedly defrauded the government of crores of rupees by using forged documents, fake seals, and signatures under the MHADA housing scheme.

Rules for MHADA quota compliance

According to norms, developers undertaking housing projects on plots exceeding 4,000 square metres are required to reserve 20 per cent of units for MHADA.

Developers allegedly under-reported project areas to bypass the rule and misled authorities using fabricated documents and forged authorisations.

128 cases under review, 49 found fraudulent

Verification by the Land Records Department covered 128 cases, of which 49 revealed instances of fraud. A case has been registered at Sarkarwada police station based on a complaint by the department, the statement said.

(With PTI inputs)