Khadse caused Maharashtra govt loss of Rs 1,000 crore, alleges AAP leader

Former Revenue Minister Eknath Kadase, a senior Maharashtra BJP leader, how now found himself in a fresh controversy. In the first week of June this year after allegations of wrongdoings were levelled against Eknath Khadse by a Pune-based builder in connection with an MIDC land deal and pressure had starting mounting, the then revenue minister had to resign. Now almost after 4 months, the Aam Aadmi Party has accused him of abusing his position to favour a multi-millionaire builder in Pune. AAP leader Preeti Sharma Menon said Khadse used his influence to benefit a multi-millionaire builder in Pune that would eventually result in loss of around Rs 1,000 crore of property revenue to the Maharashtra Government.

The allegations by Preeti Menon are in reference to the 200 plots in Vijayanagar Cooperative Housing Society near E-Square in Shivajinagar area meant for gazetted officers.

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GOVT WILL LOSE REVENUE OF OVER RS 1,000 CRORE

Talking to the media in Pune, Preeti Menon alleged that she has documents showing a government land measuring 24 acres that was given to gazetted officers on a lease basis. As per the 1951 GR, if anyone wants to transfer land to a third party, the original lessee has to take the government's permission and 50 per cent of sale value has to be deposited in the government treasury to transfer the land to some other party.

Menon said,""This issue concerns a huge property in Pune's Shivajinagar area, known as Vijaynagar Cooperative Housing Society, a 24-acre government plot that was demarcated into 200 plots and leased out to gazetted officers, and as per the 1951 GR, these plots cannot be sold. If any gazetted officer wants to sell it, a proper goverment permission is needed and 50 per cent of the sale value is to be paid to the goverment treasury."

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NGO, BHRASTACHAR VIRODHI GANDHIGIRI JAN ANDOLAN FIRST EXPOSED THIS LAND FRAUD

The AAP leader said that 90 per cent of the plots had been sold off to third party and the government had not recovered land transfer taxes. She said, "There is one NGO called Bhrastachar virodhi. The NGO had complained about two plots -- one plot has Avinash Bhosale's ABIL corporate office and one more plot. The complaint was registered with the Pune District Magistrate (collector) alleging that land transfer taxes were not recovered. The District Magistrate passed an order that the land transfer taxes should be recovered, the amount should be calculated and a fine of 25 per cent of the sale value should also be recovered."

Menon added that this issue was too complicated because such wrongdoings would set an altogether wrong precedent and other property lessee would using this example, evade taxes of government land transfer. She said, "While Eknath Khadse was the revenue minister, he had given a decision without giving the complainant NGO a chance to explain their position. Neither did the officers at Pune District Collectorate attend the hearing. An ex-party order was passed and a stay was given on the DM's order to recover land transfer taxes."

She went on to say, ""The land belongs to the state government and subjecting the state government to a loss of Rs 1,000 crore just to save Rs 50 crore of a ABIL group is absolutely unacceptable. Khadse being the revenue minister is directly responsible for the government's revenue loss of Rs 50 crores from one party." The AAP leader emphasised that the AAP party condemns such politics and such corruption. Menon said, "The AAP has demanded that Maharastra CM Fadnavis revoke the order passed by then Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse. A thorough inquiry should be conducted. Property transfer taxes evaded by all property holders of Vijaynagar Cooperative Housing Society should be recovered after levying a 25 per cent fine. After all, government revenue is public money and it can be put to use of needy farmers who are in dire need."

Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Eknath Khadse threatened cops to file case against whistleblower

DON'T EXPECT FADNAVIS TO ACT

Preeti Menon has said that the AAP's first step will be filing a complaint with Maharashtra CM Fadnavis. She said she hopes the same action is taken as the CM has revoked many of the orders passed by Eknath Khadse. "So first, we will wait for CM's action. If Fadnavis does not do anything, we will take our agitation to another level. But it is also true that CM hasn't taken any action when the Aam Aadmi Party carried out such sort of expose. That is the reason we have no expectations of any action from Devendra Fadnavis. AAP will continue with its fight to eradicate corruption."

ABIL REJECTS AAP LEADER'S CHARGES

Business Tycoon and multi-millionare builder Avinash Bhosale's ABIL company's MD Amit Bhosale has issued a press release, refuting all allegations levelled by AAP leader Preeti Menon. The release says police have already submitted their investigation report on the said subject to the court. So let us wait for the court's decision on the same. "These allegations are absolutely baseless and we would be filing a defamation case against those leveling wrong charges", the release added.