Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - HT Navi Mumbai Live
Kukshet land lease row: Manda Mhatre, NCP trade charges
The NCP on Thursday accused MLA Manda Mhatre of the BJP of not taking the Kukshet villagers into confidence before getting a leased land order from the state government for them.
The allegation came a day after Mhatre stated that she had resolved the vexed land issue of Kukshet. Mhatre has dismissed the NCP’s claim stating that it is a case of sour grapes because they could not do in 20 years what she has done now. Kukshet village that was situated in MIDC area in Nerul was shifted within Nerul node years ago.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, NCP city youth president and corporator Suraj Patil, “At the time of rehabilitation, the villagers were given land on lease. The villagers have long been demanding that the leased land be converted into freehold land.”
He said, “Even as our efforts were on, MLA Manda Mhatre, without taking the villagers into confidence has once again heaped leased land on us.”
Patil said, “Kukshet village is not a sector but a colony that has been rehabilitated. In Aurangabad, CIDCO has converted lease land into freehold land. In Navi Mumbai too
the demand for freehold land is picking up. Mhatre seems to have been wrongly advised by her associates who have no knowledge of Kukshet village.”
Patil said that several meetings on the issue had been held at Mantralaya level. “We managed to ensure that there was no lease agreement done and we were confident of getting rid of the lease policy.”
Stating that the NCP was trying to mislead people, Mhatre said, “In 1995, Kukshet village was shifted from Herdillia Chemicals area in MIDC to sector 14 of Nerul. However, apart from intent letter and possession receipt, MIDC did not complete
any other documentary process nor was any effort made by others to complete it.”
Stated Mhatre, “After being elected in 2014, I studies the matter and took it up with MIDC which agreed to sign land agreements.”
Mhatre said, “It was as a result of that decision that on Wednesday, 14 land owners were given letters concerning the agreement and also the agreement itself. MIDC regional officer Devre has assured that after further verification, more land owners will be issued letters pertaining to the agreement and an agreement will be signed with them.”