Probe ordered into land deals

Revenue minister Chandrakant Patil on Friday ordered an inquiry into the illegal transaction of leased properties in the city and assured the Assembly that strict action would be taken against culprits. He also admitted that the lease of 800 plots had ended and the revenue from 1,250 such pieces of land — if recovered properly — could pay the entire loan of the state.

He was replying to a question by MLA Sunil Prabhu, who alleged that Shapurjee Bharucha Mill land at Lower Parel was sub-leased illegally. The minister said an inquiry would be conducted into the matter.

“The collector has found irregularities and corruption in the transaction of leased lands. In Mumbai, 800 properties’ leases have ended while revenue from 1,250 leased lands can recover the loan on the state. The state will inquire about the irregularities in the transaction of the leased lands,” Mr Patil said.

Mr Prabhu alleged that Rs 300 core in revenue was lost after the sale of a leased plot on which a mill once stood, in Parel.

BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar alleged the involvement of a former minister in the irregularities.

The minister, in his reply, said that he would not spare anyone. “There was no law to prevent sub-leasing of property and, hence, we have introduced one this time,” he said.