Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly Eknath Khadse on Friday alleged that Shahid Balwa, former managing director of DB Realty, now under arrest in the 2G spectrum scam, was involved in a Rs. 15,000-crore land scam in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. In one of the projects, he said, Supriya Sule, daughter of Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, and her husband were promoters.
Mr. Khadse said that in Bhosri, Pimpi Chinchwad, 53 hectares was given for low-cost housing with a floor space index (FSI) of 1, and this was proposed to be increased to 2.5. The idea was to build 5,000 low cost homes, which would have taken about seven hectares. Instead, the Pimpri Chinchwad New Town Development Authority presented a 53-hectare proposal with mala fide intentions, he alleged, adding that the idea was to use the remaining land for commercial construction.
Tenders and Request for Proposals (RFP) were invited for the project and the last date was July 9 2009. Four companies sent in their documents. Their proposals were sent for scrutiny but when the names were finalised, DB Realty, which had not sent in the RFP, made an appearance in a joint venture with Conwood Man Ajwani. The matter went to the Bombay High Court, Mr. Khadse said and demanded a stay on the entire project and action against those who were responsible for the decisions.
Chavan responds
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, responding to Mr. Khadse's allegations, told the House that the proposed low-cost housing project under the Basic Services for the Urban Poor Scheme in Sector 12 of Pimpri Chinchwad was meant to be a pilot project. He said the Urban Development Department had sent a proposal that the tenders be cancelled and he scrapped them. The other suggestion was to reconsider the increased FSI of 2.5 allotted for the project and he would take a call on that soon.
Mr. Khadse's other serious allegation dealt with land in Yerwada in Pune, which was bought by the Mukund Bhavan Trust. It initially staked claim to 3.26 acres but over the years extended it to 3,260 acres. This was completely illegal and fraudulent, he said. This land, which partially belonged to the government and the military, was being used for building an IT Park and five-star hotels. Mr. Khadse said the trust was run by Pune Collector Shriniwas Patil, who later contested the Lok Sabha on the Nationalist Congress Party ticket and won. The Trust got all the land it needed but was not registered with the Charity Commissioner. When Mr. Khadse made enquiries about how permission was being granted for the buildings, he learnt that the trust was partnering with DB Realty. All permission was being sought by Shahid Balwa, who had secured no-objection certificates and clearances from the Centre, he said.
In addition, the Panchshil Tech Park, which was coming up on this land, had as its promoters Atul Chordia, Varsha Chordia, Sagar Chordia, Purshottam Lohia, Supriya Sule and her husband Sadanand Sule. “Was it a coincidence that Mr. Balwa was getting permission and clearances on their behalf,” Mr. Khadse asked.
He said he had records of this land since 1717 and in addition some 80 acres was added to a city survey number and a false land record prepared, he alleged. The reservation was changed from playground, and many other decisions and concessions followed illegally, he said. He demanded that the buildings under construction be sealed and that the State hand over the matter to the CBI for investigation.
Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat has announced that the department will inquire into the matter within three months.
