SIT soon to investigate EWS quota violation in Nashik says revenue minister Bawankule

Nashik: Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Saturday said state govt would soon announce a Special Investigation Team (SIT), comprising one IPS and two IAS officers, to probe alleged cheating by 197 developers in Nashik who bypassed the mandatory 20% reservation for the economically weaker sections by illegally splitting large land holdings into smaller parcels.Bawankule said several builders, developers and govt officials had allegedly colluded to illegally split large land holdings into smaller parcels to ensure the total development area remained below 4,000sqm, thereby, evading the mandatory 20% reservation for the economically weaker sections (EWS). "After evaluating the seriousness of the case, it is clear that builders, developers and govt officials worked together to manipulate land records. An SIT comprising IPS and IAS officers will be announced soon, and no one involved will be spared," he said.An FIR was registered at the Sarkarwada police station on March 7 against 104 landlords and 93 builders and developers for allegedly cheating, creating false documents and committing forgery.Under EWS provisions, the housing reserved through such projects is meant to be allotted to people from the lower income group (LIG) through the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada). Bawankule said, "The scam originated in the land records department and later involved officials from Mhada and Nashik Municipal Corporation. Investigations have revealed that land parcels were split in a single day, when entries were updated, and even layout maps were generated within hours," he said.The irregularities were unearthed by a committee headed by the additional collector of Nashik, following which a formal complaint was filed.Bawankule further said, "If SIT outcome warranted further action, state could refer the case to the Enforcement Directorate to ensure strict punishment for all those involved, including officials and political functionaries irrespective of party affiliation."We will push for unopposed election in Baramati: BawankuleRevenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Saturday said he was willing to hold talks with Congress politicians again to ensure that the Baramati byelection was held unopposed."Late Ajit Pawar shared cordial relations with all political parties. Following his tragic demise, it is our collective responsibility to stand by Sunetra Pawar, who is contesting the bypolls from Baramati," he said, adding that he had already spoken Congress politicians Nana Patole and Vijay Wadettiwar, and would request them to reconsider the decision to contest the election.