The state government plans to bring a proposal to make organisations and individuals pay the price for land sought for new projects such as private educational and medical institutions.
The state government plans to bring a proposal to make organisations and individuals pay the price for land sought for new projects such as private educational and medical institutions. The state, which is waiting for reforms in the centre’s land acquisition act, has decided to put an end to allocation of land at throw away prices.
Revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat is steering the landmark reforms which may invite wrath from the politicians across parties. However, Thorat appears determined to push the reforms as he believes, “Why should the government give free land to the private institutions which run on profit.”
The proposal entails land should be given at concessional rates only to select organisations/individuals who are committed to social services like running the homes for the orphans or mentally and physically challenged. It feels there are certain areas where organisations would depend on government support. However, private schools and colleges which charge high fees from students can afford to pay the price.
Currently, there are almost 10,000 proposals before the government from various organisations seeking land concessions for opening education institutions, hospitals and other welfare centres. Highly placed sources in the revenue ministry said, “When we receive proposals for land, it often highlights the purpose as charity and social work. But once we sanction the land it is used for commercial purposes.”
The government has already prepared the list of 100 highly reputed educational institutions and hospitals registered as trust and owned by politicians who were given free land. But now they are functioning as commercial units and making huge profits.
A senior officer in the ministry said, “The rising land cost is no longer confined to Mumbai and its suburbs. Even the two and three tier cities/town dotted across Maharashtra are fetching unheard prices. “The government itself has to shell out huge compensation packages for land acquired for mega-projects.
Citing an example he said, “The people have dragged the centre and state to court seeking higher compensation for land acquired for airport expansion project in Nagpur city. The mega SEZ project had to be abandoned following farmer’s protest in Raigad.” In Jaitapur the land acquisition has come to a stand still because of protest despite government willing to shell out Rs10 lakh per acres.
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