Maharashtra government won't take back allotted land from Hema Malini

Actress-turned-politician Hema Malini will be retaining the controversial 2,000 sqmt prime plot at Andheri, allocated by the state government at a token rate, for starting her dream project – a national dance academy.

This was disclosed by revenue minister Eknath Khadse to dna, after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Friday, announced his plans to scrap the rule that allows land allotments at concessional rates. The Government Resolution (GR) of 1984 allows land meant for cultural or educational purposes to be given on lease at 25% of 1976 rates.

Khadse told dna that they had already allotted the plot to Hema Malini for her dance academy. “There is no question of taking it back. The plot was allotted in 2010. Besides, this plot was reserved for cultural activities, and we cannot give it for other activities. The government had also invited suggestions and objections while reserving the land for such purposes,” said Khadse.

Facing heat over alloting the prime piece of land for a song to Hema Malini, also a BJP MP, Fadnavis had said that the government is going to scrap the decades-old land allotments policy. He also said that no decision has been taken on cancelling the plot given to the actor.

“If her plot is to be taken back, then all other plots, allocated on similar lines earlier, too will have to be taken back. The policy cannot be with a retrospective effect,” a senior government official pointed out on condition of anonymity. “Once the new land allotment policy comes into effect, we may have to take decisions on the basis of merit,” he added.

Khadse said that lawmakers have taken the welfare state approach while framing the constitution. “We have to allot such plots at mere value to start educational institutions, hospitals and other social initiatives. We have to follow the inclusive growth policy. And, we are not here only to generate revenue by selling or allotting the government land at exorbitant rates,” Khadse said.

RTI activist Anil Galgali, however, opined that the government should not allot such prime plot to such super-rich film personalities, capable of buying land in the open market. “Levying 25% of 1976 rates was too negligible. The government has to charge as per the current government rates. In the policy also, the allotment should be linked to the current ready-reckoner rate,” he said.

Galgali said that Hema Malini also should be asked to pay as per the current market rate. The current land rate is Rs 65,000 per sqft, which means that the total cost of the plot comes around Rs 13 crore. “We are not against giving the plot, but it should fetch some good revenue to the state as well,” Galgali said.

The 2,000 sqmt plot was given to Hema Malini for Rs 90,000.

Galgali further pointed out that Hema that had not yet returned the earlier allotted Versova plot, measuring 1,741.89 sqmt. Khadse said most of the Versova plot comes under the coastal zone regulations. “Hema cannot do anything there. So she is going to return that plot and retain the Andheri plot,” a source pointed out.

Some other beneficiaries of the 1976 land allotment policy include former Congress chief ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh and AR Antulay, Congress member Rajiv Shukla and BJP's Gopinath Munde. Shukla is said to have got a 2,821 sqmt plot at Andheri for just under ?1 lakh. Most of the Gymkhana, including Matoshree run by Shiv Sena MLA Ravindra Waikar, was also handed over at a throw-away price.