MUMBAI
State expands scope of panel to investigate land denotified during earlier regime, Opposition says ruling party dodging the issue
Months after a controversy broke out over alleged involvement of Maharashtra Industries Minister Subhash Desai in a Rs 50,000-crore land scam, the government has decided to include ministers from the previous Congress-NCP regimes in its probe into the alleged irregularities.
The scope of a panel investigating the land denotification allegations has been expanded, said a government source requesting anonymity. Former additional chief secretary (Home) KP Bakshi is the lone member on the panel.
Desai, a Shiv Sena leader who is also believed to be close to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is accused of denotifying 60,000 acres of land under the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation.
When the state identifies land for government projects, it issues a notification on the plots thus restraining the owner from selling it to a third party. Denotification is the reverse of this process, which means removing the restrictions on the transfer rights on a piece of land.
In a report on August 7, 2017, DNA was the first to highlight the alleged denotification of land during Desai's tenure. The report had given additional ammunition to opposition parties to target the ruling dispensation. Apparently, this had prompted Desai to offer his resignation, though Fadnavis didn't accept it.
The source said the Bakshi panel will now former industries ministers, including Ashok Chavan, Rajendra Darda and Narayan Rane. Explanations from these ex-ministers have been sought about decisions on land denotification during their respective tenures, said the source.
Bakshi told DNA that the report would be submitted to the chief minister by February 15.
According senior government officials, it was during Narayan Rane's stint maximum MIDC land was denotified. "Mr Rane had also blatantly violated the norms. However, report has not pinpointed anyone. It report gives factual details of the extent of denotification. It is the CM's call now," said a senior industries official, who requested anonymity.
The move has not gone down well with rival parties. Leader of Oppositions in State Council Dhananjay Munde said they had specifically asked for a probe against Desai. "Why is the chief minister expanding the scope and changing the goalpost? If he is really interested in probing all industries ministers, then the probe should start from the Sena-BJP government in 1995."
NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said the expanded scope of the Bakshi panel is a ploy to divert attention. "CM Fadnavis may put the blame on Narayan Rane too. We will stick to our demand for a judicial probe against Desai."
NCP termed the decision a ploy to divert attention. Party spokesperson Nawab Malik said they will stick to their demand for a judicial probe against Subhash Desai
Who is Abhinav Chandrachud? Lawyer representing YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, he is son of famous...
India's Got Latent controversy: YouTuber Apoorva Makhija kicked out from IIFA? Here's what we know
Former WWE wrestler gives BIG warning to Ranveer Allahbadia, says, 'people like him have...'
Ukraine's Zelenskyy makes BIG claim, says Donald Trump can push Putin to...
Anti-Valentine’s week: From Breakup Day to Slap Day, 7 days explained
Saturday bank holiday: Are banks open or closed on February 15? Check here
Meet Fearless Nadiya, first female Bollywood action star, she was from...
Prateik Babbar shares passionate kiss with Priya Banerjee in dreamy wedding photos
Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna’s Chhaava is a historic epic that roars to glory
'India, US stand firmly together in fight against terrorism': PM Modi
Ranveer Allahbadia hires Ex-Chief Justice of India's son as his lawyer, approaches Supreme Court
CanCentra Review 2025: Scam Or Legit Trading Platform? - Canada Facts!
PAFI Kabupaten Gunungkidul Launches Pharmacist Training Program to Elevate Healthcare Standards
Oswal Energies introduces Advanced Clean Energy Solutions at India Energy Week 2025
Top 5 Astrologers in India: Meet the experts who are shaping the future of Astrology
Don't Drown in the Decibels: A Cautionary PSA for Web3 community
BitGo's IPO Ambitions: A Bridge Between Traditional Finance and the Web3 Frontier
'Will sue': Mexico President Sheinbaum threatens legal action against Google over this reason
Urfi Javed gets engaged? Ring ceremony photos go viral, leaves fans speculating
With Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar set to exit, know who will likely succeed him
The curious case of Junaid Khan: What is unusual about Aamir Khan’s son?
Zeenat Aman reveals what she eats in a day to stay fit at 73: 'I used to feel embarrassed'
Anti-Valentine's Week 2025: Slap Day to Breakup Day, check full list
'Let's wait and watch': Baba Bageshwar addresses Ranveer Allahbadia controversy
Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt give couple goals, look perfect in black suit, red saree: Watch
TraderAI Review 2025: Scam or Legit Trading Platform? - Facts Check!
Vishal Dadlani meets with accident, postpones Pune concert: 'We regret to...'
Mallcom Breaks New Ground: Launches its D2C E-Commerce Store
SHOCKING! Man 'dead' in Mahakumbh stampede returns home on his own 'terahvi', asks family members...
Viral Video: Humpback whale swallows Kayaker, but then something shocking happened
IPL 2025 to start on THIS date, Rajat Patidar's RCB to face reigning champions KKR at Eden Gardens
World richest man Elon Musk gave THIS special gift to PM Modi, has SpaceX connection
'Frankly, I've been...': What US President Donald Trump said about Bangladesh crisis?
PM Modi-Trump's new formula: What is MAGA + MIGA = MEGA?
'His hand was over my...': Bigg Boss 18 fame Edin Rose shares SHOCKING casting couch experience
Meet CEO of one of world's biggest IT firms, who will undergo treatment for breast cancer
No bank holiday on Eid al-Fitr this year? Know reason behind this