Revenue minister Eknath Khadse on Friday revealed that the previous Congress-NCP-led government had taken a decision to allot land to a trust owned by Hindi film actor Hema Malini in 2010. The state government has allotted land admeasuring 2,000 sq metres to Natyvihar Kala Kendra, Hema Malini’s institute, which was criticised by social activists.
Speaking with media persons, Mr Khadse said that Ms Malini had submitted her proposal demanding 5,000-sq-mt land located at Ambivali (Andheri) for her institute on July 23, 2007. He said the Congress and NCP were in power at the time Ms Malini submitted her proposal.
She was sanctioned a plot of 1,741.89 sq mt at Versova on December 18, 1996, and it was handed over to her on April 4 1997. However, the land comes under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and hence Ms Malini requested the government to allot another plot for her institute.
Mr Khadse said she had asked part of the plot admeasuring 29,360.50 sq mt reserved for a garden and located at Ambivali. “She asked for a 2,000-sq-mt plot and offered that her trust would develop the garden on the remaining plot. It was the pre-condition for allotment of the plot to Ms Malini’s trust,” said Mr Khadse.
He added the state would not allot the Ambivali plot till she vacated the one allotted at Versova. “Once we get back the Versova plot, it will be reserved for garden,” Mr Khadse said.
