This paper had first reported on June 12 that the BJP minister had forcibly bought Dalit farmer Govind Jangalu's land at a cost of Rs1.11 lakh. The land was bought on the pretext of setting up a co-operative sugar mill.
Water resources and medical education minister Girish Mahajan returned 4.97 acres of land in Bhusawal village to a Dalit farmer, after dna exposed the controversial deal.
This paper had first reported on June 12 that the BJP minister had forcibly bought Dalit farmer Govind Jangalu's land at a cost of Rs1.11 lakh. The land was bought on the pretext of setting up a co-operative sugar mill.
The minister had even promised to give jobs to farmers in the mill. The project, however, did not take off for 15 years. Jangalu's son Harish Govind Tayade (40) then demanded the land back.
Besides, in the 2004, 2009 and 2014 state assembly election affidavits, Mahajan did not mention the details of this land. Talking with dna over the phone, Mahajan said the registration of the land has been transferred.
"I had promised the farmer that I will return the land once I get time. I am not that type of a politician who changes the given word. I always stick with my promises. That is why people respect me," he said.
He further said, "I was in Jalgaon, so decided to do the registration process. Frankly, I had no idea that I owned this 4.97 acres of land. I have not even gone there in the last 15 years. I am happy that I have returned the land to the farmer."
Meanwhile, Tayade said, "I am grateful to dna for highlighting my issue. Because of dna only, I have my land back. We bought back the land for Rs1.44 lakh. We are happy that the minister himself came for the registration and waited patiently till the process was completed. He told us that very soon, he will come to eat our farm's peanuts. We are really happy today."
He added that they will soon clean the land and start sowing. "It is a great feeling. Once again, we are land-holding farmers. Land is everything to a farmer. We will fully utilise this land now," the farmer said.
NCP leader Sanjay Garud, however, said that by returning the land, Mahajan has, in fact, admitted his guilt. "Returning the land will not end the issue here. The minister did not mention this land in election affidavits. He should be disqualified immediately. Soon, we will file a case against him for misguiding voters and cheating the Election Commission," Garud added.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Girish Mahajan")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}