‘Hema Malini destroyed mangroves on Versova plot’
Mumbai Mirror Bureau
RTI query reveals the actress-politician had been served notice for violating CRZ norms.
In what could spell more trouble for actress and BJP MP Hema Malini, who is caught in a land allotment controversy, a fresh RTI query revealed that the actress allegedly violated the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Act norms by destroying mangroves on a plot previously given to her in Versova, for which a notice was served to her in 1998.
As per the information furnished by Mumbai Suburban Collector in response to the query filed by RTI activist Anil Galgali, Hema was allotted a plot in Versova village), measuring 1,741 sq mt, whose possession was handed over to her on April 4, 1997.
Subsequently, a notice was served to her on August 28, 1998, asking her as to why the the suburban collectorate should not tell the state to cancel the letter of intent for the allotment as norms of the CRZ Act were violated. According to the reply, the dance academy had made a payment of Rs 10 lakh for acquiring the plot.
Citing the report submitted by the Andheri Tehsildar, the Collector also said that CRZ rules were violated by destroying the mangroves.
Rejecting the allegation, Hema said, “All the hullabaloo is being created unnecessarily as I never had an intention to get two pieces of land. I had already decided to return the land previously allotted, and I’m going to do it as and when I get the possession of recently allotted land.”
The RTI activist said he was not opposed to land being allotted to the actress, but was questioning the “favouritism” shown by the state government. “I am not opposing the land allotment to Hema Malini. I am opposing the process and favouritism meted out by the state government to benefit its party MP,” Galgali said.
RTI query reveals the actress-politician had been served notice for violating CRZ norms.
In what could spell more trouble for actress and BJP MP Hema Malini, who is caught in a land allotment controversy, a fresh RTI query revealed that the actress allegedly violated the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Act norms by destroying mangroves on a plot previously given to her in Versova, for which a notice was served to her in 1998.
The actress, however, contended that an unnecessary row was being kicked up over the matter as she had already said that she would return the land at Versova once she takes possession of the land recently allotted to her. Hema is already facing heat from the opposition for securing a prime piece of land measuring 2,000 sq mt for her dance academy in Oshiwara for a throwaway price of Rs 70,000.
As per the information furnished by Mumbai Suburban Collector in response to the query filed by RTI activist Anil Galgali, Hema was allotted a plot in Versova village), measuring 1,741 sq mt, whose possession was handed over to her on April 4, 1997.
Subsequently, a notice was served to her on August 28, 1998, asking her as to why the the suburban collectorate should not tell the state to cancel the letter of intent for the allotment as norms of the CRZ Act were violated. According to the reply, the dance academy had made a payment of Rs 10 lakh for acquiring the plot.
Citing the report submitted by the Andheri Tehsildar, the Collector also said that CRZ rules were violated by destroying the mangroves.
Rejecting the allegation, Hema said, “All the hullabaloo is being created unnecessarily as I never had an intention to get two pieces of land. I had already decided to return the land previously allotted, and I’m going to do it as and when I get the possession of recently allotted land.”
The RTI activist said he was not opposed to land being allotted to the actress, but was questioning the “favouritism” shown by the state government. “I am not opposing the land allotment to Hema Malini. I am opposing the process and favouritism meted out by the state government to benefit its party MP,” Galgali said.
