AAP says PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal tweaked rules for builder

MUMBAI: The Aam Admi Party (AAP) targeted Public Works Department minister Chhagan Bhujbal, saying that he misused his position for the benefit of a private builder in the redevelopment of the 29-acre Beggars Home at Chembur.

According to Anjali Damania, convener, AAP, Bhujbal tweaked rules to favour Ackruti Builders (now Hubtown) in the prime Chembur area. “It was decided in 1999 to redevelop the Beggars Home and construct government offices and transit camps. However, in 2004, within a month of assuming office, Bhujbal cancelled the transit camp plans and offered 30% of the incentives to Zeal Ventures to build residential towers,” said Damania. “Ackruti made a backdoor entry in 2010 after one of Zeal’s UAE partners quit from the venture.”

Even the audit reports have been critical of the project as various undue concessions such as lowering the performance security and rescheduling the completion deadline were carried out to benefit Ackruti, AAP said. AAP pegs the total cost of the project at Rs2,580 crore, of which Ackruti stands to gain at least Rs645 crore in the present real estate market.

AAP plans to file a PIL against the whole deal, and have petitioned chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to sack Bhujbal from his cabinet.

Bhujbal was not available for comment, but his party refuted the allegations. “The Beggars Home proposal was prepared by the social justice ministry and not the PWD. It has become a fashion to blame ministers to gain publicity,” said Nawab Malik, NCP spokesperson.