Congress opposes hand-over of prime south Mumbai plot to non-profit organisation

“The government must come out and give explanation as to who pressurised the government to give this land and who is being benefited out of this," Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said.

The prime plot located in south Mumbai measures 2995.75 square metres. (Express photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

A day after The Indian Express reported on Maharashtra government’s approval to lease a prime plot in south Mumbai measuring 2995.75 square metres to a non-profit organisation, the main opposition, Congress, on Friday questioned whether the government was under pressure to part with its lands.

“The Mahayuti government is giving away prime plots in the state at throwaway prices. On one hand it is giving Mumbai’s lands to Adani group. Now, it will be giving away a prime plot in south Mumbai to a non-profit organisation for educational purposes at throwaway price. This was opposed by the finance department and despite that the decision has been cleared,” said Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole.

Patole asked whether the state government is under pressure from anyone to gift Mumbai’s lands to anybody. “The government must come out and give explanation as to who pressurised the government to give this land and who is being benefited out of this,” said Patole.

Story continues below this ad

The state cabinet had on Wednesday approved a proposal to lease a prime land near Mantralaya in South Mumbai to a non-profit organisation for a period of 30 years to build a primary and secondary school. The approval was given despite the strong objection of the finance department, which had recommended using it to construct government offices instead.

“It will not be appropriate to give the land to a private organisation at a time when the government itself needs land to build its offices. Hence, the proposal should not be given nod. A number of important government offices from Mantralaya have been transferred to nearby places due to lack of space and the government is spending crores of rupees on rent. In such a scenario, the prime plot cannot be given for any reason,” the finance department had said.

“The land should be acquired for government offices at the earliest,” it added

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram