Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 8: Social activist Anjali Damania has raised questions over the Maharashtra government's decision to allot 1,200 acres of government land to a company linked to the son-in-law of Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule.

Damania questioned why two government resolutions (GRs) were issued within two weeks, why the land was allotted without a tender process and why the security deposit requirement was waived.

She also questioned the change in the government's approach towards the land. According to Damania, in June, a decision had been taken to develop a green energy park on the land through the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (Mahaurja) under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. However, three months later, in September, the same 1,200 acres were allegedly allotted directly to a private company.

Damania asked why the decision was changed and alleged that the GR did not explain the reason for the change.

She also raised objections over the long-term lease arrangement, saying the terms allow the land to be leased for 48 years with a further 48-year extension. She questioned whether the land should instead have initially been given for a shorter period to assess the company's performance.

Damania further questioned the provision allowing companies within the group to sub-lease the land without requiring a no-objection certificate from the Maharashtra State Farming Corporation. She also objected to provisions concerning the government's ability to take back the land for public purposes and the alleged first right of the company in case the land is sold.

"If the land is being used for a solar power project, will electricity be made available to consumers at cheaper rates?" Damania asked, arguing that the land should instead be offered through a transparent tender process to the company willing to pay the highest rent.

She demanded that a security deposit be collected, the sub-lease provision be removed and the company's first right in the event of a sale be scrapped.

Damania also referred to Maharashtra's financial condition and said that if the state's financial interests were a concern, Sule herself should demand that the land be allotted through a competitive process.

Reacting to the controversy, Sule said her son-in-law's professional activities were his own matter. "What my son-in-law does is his matter. How can I speak about him?" she said while responding to Damania's allegations at a party gathering.