Ex-MP accused of grabbing `200-cr land

In yet another setback to the Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Vijay Darda, a Nagpur based social worker Pankaj Thakur on Monday accused Darda of misusing Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation’s (MIDC) land and has demanded a probe into the matter.

Thakur alleged that the land was misused by Darda and his relatives for commercial purpose. Thakur said, “Darda and his relatives formed a fake firm named ’ Veena Infosis’ to grab Nagpur’s Butibori MIDC land that extends on 40 hectares is worth of Rs 200 crore.”

Thakur added, “This is the biggest land scam where Dadra has misused the office of MP during the year 1998-2016 and has illegally grabbed the five plots that are adjacent to National Highway number 7.

Even Darda’s family have grabbed the school’s reserved land for mentally and physically disabled people where a luxurious wedding hall has been constructed for commercial purpose.”

The complaints have been lodged with the Prime Minister’s office (PMO), Maharashtra Chief Minister, Divisional Commissioner, and the Anti Corruption Bureau against Darda’s family. “Despite my various complaints, no action has been taken till now. If the government fails to take cognisance of this, I would have to take this matter to Court,” Thakur said.

Thakur added, “The commercial plot is extended on 20 hectares but only four percent land is being utilised, had the remaining 16 per cent land would have been used properly, a lot of employment could have been generated.”

According to the MIDC rule, no person or company can change the purpose of the land use from commercial to industrial use.

Thakur alleged that Dadra set up his printing press for industrial purpose which was situated in the commercial zone of MIDC and paid the money to the MIDC at the rate meant for industrial purpose. The plot was purchased at the rate of Rs 100 per square meters.

Another 20 hectares of land have been acquired for providing housing to the employees of the Lokmat Newspapers Private limited.

As per the rules, the beneficiary should not own any house in the area of Nagpur District. However, several houses in the area have been allocated for the family members of Dadra.

Despite repeated attempts of calls and messages, Dadra was not available for a comment.