Some business entities were attempting to occupy government land under the pretext of the trust and such attempts should be stopped, MLC Sachin Ahir of the Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) has claimed
Mantralaya. File Pic
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has rejected the proposal for renewal of the government land lease held by Jeejeebhoy Trust, a prominent charitable organisation, at Mazgaon in Mumbai, officials said, reported news agency PTI.
Some business entities were attempting to occupy government land under the pretext of the trust and such attempts should be stopped, MLC Sachin Ahir of the Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) has claimed, reported PTI.
Bawankule on Wednesday directed that the amount deposited by the trust or its developer in an irregular manner be refunded, the officials said.
A meeting on the issue was held on Wednesday at the minister's office. Ahir, NCP MLC Amol Mitkari, Mumbai City Collector Aanchal Goyal and other officials attended it through video conferencing, reported PTI.
According to officials, the Jeejeebhoy Trust held government leasehold rights over two plots in Mazgaon -- measuring 725.76 sq m and 9,154.10 sq m. The trust had delayed payment of the renewal amount. Subsequently, the amount was inadvertently paid into government accounts by a private company, Ekya Realty Pvt Ltd, reported PTI.
As per a government resolution issued on September 24, 2025, the revenue department had allowed refund of the amount and permitted lease renewal, and the refund process was underway, reported PTI.
Ahir urged the government to immediately take possession of the said properties, auction them, and later decide on development plans.
He claimed that some business entities were attempting to occupy government land under the pretext of the trust and such attempts should be stopped, reported PTI.
Bawankule said the lease renewal should not be granted and the deposited amount must be refunded immediately. If the trust submits a fresh application, the government will review it and take a decision accordingly, he added.
Maharashtra govt announces aid for fishermen hit by heavy rains
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday issued an order to provide financial assistance and concessions to fishermen whose livelihoods were affected by excessive rainfall and floods between June and September this year, reported PTI.
A special relief package has been approved for those whose boats, fishing nets, or fish stock were damaged due to heavy rains and flooding, according to a resolution (GR) issued by the state fisheries department.
Under the package, affected fishermen will receive compensation of Rs 6,000 for partially damaged boats and Rs 15,000 for completely destroyed ones. For the fully and partially damaged fishing nets, they will get Rs 4,000 and Rs 3,000, respectively, reported PTI.
Farmers will receive Rs 10,000 per hectare for loss of fish seed, and Rs 60 per kilogram for loss of fish stock up to 50 per cent of expected production.
The government has also directed district officials to conduct on-ground inspections and submit proposals through the assistant commissioner of fisheries for approval. The relief amount will be directly credited to beneficiaries' bank accounts via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
The GR said the district-level committees must verify damage reports with the participation of local authorities, including talathis (revenue officials), sarpanches, and representatives of fisheries cooperative societies.
The fisheries commissioner has been tasked with reviewing the disbursement process and submitting regular reports to the government.
(With inputs from PTI)
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