Rules flouted in allotment of land to ministers trusts: CAG

The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General was tabled in the state assembly today, days after a version was leaked by the BJP which some of those indicted claimed was different from the original report.

In its report, the government auditor has brought out that besides Deshmukh, the Union Science and Technology Minister, Maharashtra ministers Chhagan Bhujbal, Narayan Rane, Patangrao Kadam and Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil too got government land at throwaway prices.

According to the report, a 23,840 sq m plot in suburban Borivali was allotted to Deshmukh's Manjara Charitable Trust by the government for an occupancy price of Rs 6.56 crore for setting up a dental college within two years. As per the ready reckoner of 2006, the value of land at that time was Rs 30.37 crore.

Though the report does not mention Deshmukh by name, he was the chief minister when the land was allotted to the trust.

As per the mandatory terms and conditions, the land shall be liable to be resumed by the government, if it is not used for the purpose for which it has been granted or the activity is not commenced within two years from the date of allotment, the CAG report says.

"Though years have elapsed after taking possession of the land, the same was not put to use for the intended purpose," the report says.

"Non-mentioning of mandatory conditions of time frame to commence activities, in contraventions of rules resulted in non-resumption of land and undue benefits to the allottee on land alloted in Mumbai suburbs for a dental college," it said.