New twist to studio issue as Mah Govt rejects KMC resolution

Kolhapur, June 7 (UNI) The Jayprabha Studio land reservation issue has taken a new turn, with the Maharashtra government rejecting the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation's (KMC) resolution to reserve the studio's land for a multipurpose cultural centre and a garden, according to senior KMC corporator Sunil Modi.

Addressing a news conference here today, Mr Modi charged that on May 18, the state government, under pressure from melody queen Lata Mangeshkar, rejected the KMC's resolution on the Studio land issue.

He said the KMC had unanimously resolved on December 18 last year to reserve the studio land for multipurpose cultural centre and a garden, whose owner is Ms Mangeshkar.

In this connection, the state government had issued a notification on May 10. Meanwhile, Ms Mangeshkar, through an application dated February 3, addressed to state urban development department, requested to reject the KMC resolution, he alleged.

In this connection, KMC Commissioner forwarded a detailed report on February 12 as demanded by the Minister of State for Urban Development, he said and added that this was injustice against the citizens.

Mr Modi said he will launch an indefinite hunger strike at Hutatma Chowk in Mumbai from June 21, if the state government fails to reconsider its decision.

An all-party meeting has been called here tomorrow to decide the action plan and agitation programme to be undertaken to press the issue, he added.

The Jayprabha Studio, situated on 11 acres, was founded by Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj in 1934 under the banner Kolhapur Cinetone. Later, it was purchased by filmmaker late Bhalji Pendharkar, who eventually handed it over to Lata Mangeshkar.

Over six months ago, Ms Mangeshkar sold around seven acres of land for commercial development, which was opposed by the citizens, resulting in controversy.

UNI