Illegal land dealing unearthed following citizens' complaint

Thane, June 11 (UNI) A report by the Konkan Divisional Commissioner has acknowledged irregularity in land dealings here in the city as complained by Thane citizens.

Last year, citizens of Thane had complained to the Chief Minister about doubtful dealings. Following the complaints, the Chief Minister had ordered an inquiry by the then Konkan Divisional Commissioner J T Bhandari. The Divisional Commissioner, in his report to the Urban Development Department in September 2006, acknowledged there was truth in the complaints.

The report said land had been sold to developers by caretakers without prior permission of the Central Government, causing immense loss to the government. Several housing complexes have come up on these land, the report said.

In his report, the Divisional Commissioner has said the said land belonged to the Government of India, and was given to Provident Investment Company, an undertaking of the Madhya Pradesh Government, as caretaker. The Company was not given the right to transfer the land to any one. Despite being asked to explain its stand, the Company has not bothered to explain the same, the report said.

The land was transferred to the National Stone Quarry by the Provident Investment Company illegally, the report said.

UNI