Government grants Dream Girl’s 20-year-old wish

Hema Malini given plot to open cultural centre in the state

Nearly 20 years after she had approached the state government for a plot in Mumbai to set up a cultural art centre, BJP MP, actor and Bharatnatyam dancer Hema Malini’s wish was fulfilled after the change in guard in Maharashtra. Revenue minister Eknath Khadse has handed over the copy of the government order by which the state sanctioned a 2,000-square metre plot for the academy proposed by Ms Malini.

According to officials from the revenue department, Ms Malini had requested the state government in 1996 to allot land to her trust for setting up the cultural art centre where music, art and classical dance classes would be held.

“Ms Malini had met Mr Khadse a few days ago and requested that a decision be taken on her proposal, which was pending for nearly 20 years, at the earliest. Accordingly, the minister, after verifying the file, directed the department to issue the order to release land for Ms Malini’s trust. The sanction order was issued on December 23 and the minister personally handed over the copy of the order to Ms Malini on Sunday,” the official said.

Ms Malini had thanked Mr Khadse for personally looking into the matter and taking the positive decision expeditiously.

The possession of the 2,000-square metre plot at Ambivali, Andheri will be handed over to the trust after it fulfils the conditions put forth by the government. “The trust will have to deposit 25 per cent of the amount it is going to spend on the project with the collector and provide proof of how it is going to raise the remaining amount. Only after that the collector’s office will issue the final order,” the official from the revenue department said.

As per the other conditions, the trust will have to develop and maintain a garden on the demarcated part of the plot. The said garden will be open for public. The trust will also have to complete the construction of the centre within two years after getting actual possession of the land. Also, the trust cannot carry out any profit-making activity at the centre.

The decision has also raised few eyebrows. RTI activist Anil Galgali said that the government had not followed proper procedures while allotting the land. “As per the rules, the government ought to have published an advertisement so that anybody who has objection could have raised it. It seems that the BJP is following the previous Congress-NCP government while allotting land to its own people. I have written to the chief minister pointing this out,” he said.