Another member of Maharashtra’s government faces accusations of corruption. On Tuesday, Mumbai Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam produced documents that he says prove that Ravindra Waikar, Shiv Shiv Sena leader and Minister of State for Housing, is involved as a businessman in Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) projects worth Rs. 1,000 crore.
Mr. Nirupam said ever since taking charge of his ministry, Mr. Waikar used his influence to get clearance for SRA projects by companies in which he is a partner. “The SRA comes under his ministry and the authority is used for personal gain of the minister. This is a clear case of conflict of interest. We demand an inquiry by appropriate authority in the case, and till then Mr. Waikar should resign from his post.”
According to the documents, the Sena leader is a partner in several construction companies — among them, Aishwarya Avant Builders LLP, Aishwarya Light Construction Company, and Aishwarya Vijayalaxmi Realtors — which have, between them, contracts in at least six SRA projects in K-East ward, which includes parts of Jogeshwari and Andheri (E). “We suspect that all SRA projects in the area have direct or indirect involvement of the Sena leader. At present, we have documents related to these six and the rest will be out soon,” said Mr. Nirupam. He added that that total saleable area of floor space that these projects will yield on completion of construction is around 3.5 lakh square feet, which would be worth around Rs 1000 crore.
Mr. Nirupam also cited examples of violations of law that the SRA had permitted, allegedly under pressure from the minister: He said that redevelopment of slums adjoining the ancient Jogeshwari cave temples was undertaken despite a ban on construction within 100 metres of the site. He said the meeting to change its status from a no-development zone was held in minister’s official residence, and that the redevelopment is to be carried out by minister’s company.
While Mr. Waikar has said that he has stepped out of the partnerships from the companies mentioned in 2009; however, his affidavit submitted before the 2014 election mentions him being one of the partners in Aishwarya Light Construction Company.
Waikar used his influence to get clearance for SRA projects by companies in which he is a partner
Sanjay Nirupam,Mumbai Congress leader
Waikar used his influence to get clearance for SRA projects by companies in which he is a partner
