Walkout over varsity land scam

This followed a discussion on a calling attention motion moved by B T Deshmukh, P G Dasturkar and other members on the subject. Council chairman N S Pharande directed the state government to initiate action against the tehsildar. Rane said the directive would be implemented after a "thorough inquiry" in the matter. "It will take some time as at least four government departments are involved," he said.

His statement further provoked the Opposition members who said they would settle fornothing less than suspension of the tehsildar. Earlier during the discussion, it was revealed that plots admeasuring 233.19 hectares and worth Rs 99,16,500 were proposed to be bought for Amravati University at Mhasala and Vadali villages. In August 1985, more than Rs one crore was sanctioned for procuring the plots for the University. Later, some of the plot owners moved court demanding a higher price for their land.

Following the court’s decision, the University was required to pay more to the plot owners. The deals resulted in the University owing more money to the Revenue department in the form of various duties. The University then asked the Higher and Technical Education (H&TE) department for extra money to pay the Revenue department and the transaction was delayed longer than expected.

The H&TE department had asked the regional revenue commissioner for a detailed account of the amount to be paid. But the regional revenue commissioner failed to inform the University about the dues.

On July6, 1998, the Amravati tehsildar issued a notice to the University saying its property would be confiscated to recover the dues. On July 9, 1998, the tehsildar arrived at the University with a police party and allegedly misbehaved with the Vice-Chancellor. Though the University authorities tried to explain the situation to the tehsildar, he had persisted with his action.