Panel to check status of leased lands in Mumbai

The city collector has set up a panel to find out the current status and occupants of the state government’s 1,234 leased out plots in Mumbai. Sources in the collector’s office revealed that some of the plots were sold without the collector’s consent. The probe panel will submit its report in the next three months.

Recently, Mafatlal Industries decided to sell its 7-acre prime land near Byculla zoo without taking the collector’s consent. Its decision to ‘sell government land’ compelled the government to set up a probe panel. The collector’s office has learnt that other leased out lands have been sold similarly, while some parties are waiting for the lease agreement to expire.

The government’s leased out plots are located in plush areas like Marine Drive, Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point, Dadar, Bandra, JVPD, Versova and Byculla. Most of them were leased out for 30 or 90 years, while some were given for 999 years.

“No one can sell the government’s leased out plots without our approval,” said a senior revenue official. “It will be a breach of covenants by the lessee. However, the government has got every right to re-enter the premises and cease the agreement. If any structures have come up on our land, we will pull them down. We do not want to lose our revenue.”

City collector CV Oak said that the panel will pay a door-to-door visit to all of the government’s leased out plots. “We are the custodians of these plots. They will help generate huge sums of revenue. Action will be taken against lessees violating norms,” he said.

Mafatlal Industries did not inform the collector while floating the tender and had even shortlisted three developers. “We asked them not to sell without the collector’s permission, as the land belongs to us. Now, the company has agreed to our terms,” Oak said.