CAG raps Mah Govt for irregular disposal of plot

Mumbai, Apr 18 (UNI) The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report for the year ended March 31, 2005, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly today, has criticised the Maharashtra Government for irregular disposal of plot of land causing revenue loss of Rs 6.49 crore.

The report said Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) sold 18,953 sq.mt of land at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai to Bharti Vidyapeeth for educational purpose at a rate of Rs 525 per sq.mt.

It was noticed in the audit that the MIDC division in Thane issued a tender notice on February 13, 2002, for outright sale of the above plot for residential purposes. The notice was cancelled within two days of its issue.

There were many educational institutes in the vicinity of the plot. Despite this it was decided to change the use of this land from residential to educational purposes, the report said.

According to the report, there was a conflict of interest in this decision as the Chairman of MIDC was the interested party being co-founder of Bharti Vidyapeeth (Cooperation Minister Dr Patangrao Kadam).

As against the period of one month specified in the tender notice of February 2002, only a period of ten days was given for the parties to respond to the tender for the sale of the above plot for educational purposes. As a result, the response was poor.

It was observed only two applications were received from two educational institutes, both of whose co-founder was the then chairman of the MIDC. But, no extension for time limit was given to elicit better participation.

The rate of land for residential purposes in that area was Rs 3950 sq.mt and, thus, the MIDC extended an irregular benefit of Rs 6.49 crore to the party, the report said. The matter was reported to the Government in May 2005, but no reply had not been received till December 2005.

UNI MR MAZ VD KP1828