Nagpur: The State Legislative Council was adjourned for 15 minutes after the Opposition uproar over handing over of a plot of Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) at a throwaway price in Nagpur, following an order by CM Eknath Shinde.
Opposition leaders have alleged that after Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde’s (during MVA government tenure) order, NIT was forced to give 2 lakh square feet land worth Rs 83 crore for Rs 2 crore.
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Tuesday 12 Nov. 2024
As Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded to Opposition’s questions on the NIT land issue, protesting members trooped into the Well of the House. Thus, the House was adjourned for 15 minutes.
MLC Pravin Darekar objected to Deputy Speaker Nilam Gorhe’s decision to adjourn the House while Fadnavis was replying to the point of information.
Earlier, the NCP MLC Eknath Khadse demanded the resignation of CM Eknath Shinde over the NIT land issue. “The decision of giving a plot worth Rs 83 crore in Rs 2 crore was taken by CM Shinde while he was the Urban Development Minister during MVA rule. The decision was taken when the matter was subjudice in the court. The amicus curiae has said that there was an interference of the minister. The court has also pulled up the department over it. Hence, we demand the resignation of CM Shinde,” Khadse said.
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis responded by saying that the Opposition is trying to mislead the House. The matter is currently being heard in the High Court. Opposition is seeking government’s reply on the statement of amicus curiae of the case that the decision of the minister to give order of handing over land of NIT amounts to interference of administration and contempt of court.
The Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court has ordered status quo on a decision taken by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde when he was a minister in the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of allotting land meant for slum dwellers to private persons.
A division bench of Justices Sunil Shukre and M W Chandwani of the HC’s Nagpur bench in its order passed on December 14 noted the court since 2004 has been monitoring the land allotments made by the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) to politicians and other influential individuals.
This was after a petition was filed alleging the NIT gave away land to politicians and others at meagre rates.
