L&T case: Govt assures action within a week

The state government on Thursday assured action against those involved in the alleged violations of land use laws incurring losses worth crore of rupees to the government by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and engineering giant Larsen & Toubro company.

Congress MLA Naseem Khan had raised the issue through call attention motion. Replying to it, Minister of state for Urban Development, Dr Ranjit Patil, informed the House that the government would take action against all those involved in seven days.

Khan had alleged that Larsen & Toubro availed permissions from BMC for undertaking residential and commercial construction on the property which was meant for industrial use. He alleged that the land at Mauje Paspoli in Powai and Tungwa was given to the company for industrial purposes but it had instead constructed 22 to 24-storey buildings meant for residential and commercial use. Naseem Khan went on to allege, "Hundreds of trees were cut in the process. The district collector had submitted a report to the state government about the violation of laws by BMC and the developer. Despite assurance during last session, there is no action taken so far and that is the reason the government should now assure the House of time bound action in this regard." Dr Patil assured the House that the government would take action in seven days.

THE CASE

• L&T was given land near Paspoli in Powai for industrial use.
   
• But it allegedly constructed ten 24-storey towers.
   
• This resulted in the misappropriation of Rs 400 crore.
   
• It had allegedly not taken the necessary permissions from BMC.