Almost 20 years after she had applied for a vacant plot in Mumbai for a dance academy, sitting MP of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and film actor Hema Malini’s request has finally been approved by the BJP-led State government.
State’s Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse gave a 2,000 sq mt plot in Andheri’s Ambivli area to the actor on Tuesday.
Ms Malini had sent a request for the vacant plot for her Natyavihar Kala Kendra Charity Trust in 1996 to build a cultural complex with an aim to provide a platform for music, dance and art programmes. She had recently held a meeting with Mr Khadse, requesting him to speed up the process, following which the decision was taken on December 23.
The government has, however, put several conditions before handing over the plot to Ms Malini.
According to the conditions, the trust will have to develop and maintain a garden by its own money.
The garden will have to be kept open for citizens. In addition, the trust will have to complete the construction of proposed ‘kala kendra’ within two years from the actual possession of the land is given to the trust.
It cannot be used for profit making purposes. Out of the total construction cost, the trust has to submit 25% of the amount to the Mumbai suburban collector and will have to present proof of rest of the amount.
Final order of transferring the land will be issued only after fulfilling these conditions.
Opposition parties slammed the decision to allot the plot. They questioned the alacrity of the move when mill workers and fire-hit slum-dwellers are still to get help. NCP legislator Sachin Ahir said ‘acche din’ (good days) have arrived for Malini even as ‘bure din’ (bad days) continue for the common man.
