Maharashtra Govt Acts Against Land Scam
• Industrial Land Scam in Navi Mumbai
• Jurisdictional Overreach and Bypassing NAINA Authority
• The 112-Acre Rule Breach
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
- Maharashtra Govt Acts Against Land Scam
- • Industrial Land Scam in Navi Mumbai
- • Jurisdictional Overreach and Bypassing NAINA Authority
- • The 112-Acre Rule Breach
- Panvel Tehsildar Suspended Over Alleged Illegal Land Declassification Scandal
- Chronology of the Land Declassification Controversy
- A Web of Procedural Violations and Jurisdictional Overreach
- Financial Implications and Revenue Loss
- Ongoing Investigation and Broader Impact
The Industrial Land Scam in Navi Mumbai has exploded into a political storm. A Panvel tehsildar was suspended for illegally declassifying 112 acres of agricultural land for a private company, bypassing zoning laws and NAINA authority. The action, causing significant revenue loss, followed a probe into the swift NA order issued without jurisdiction. A departmental investigation is now underway.
Panvel Tehsildar Suspended Over Alleged Illegal Land Declassification Scandal
In a significant crackdown on administrative misconduct, the Maharashtra government has suspended Panvel Tehsildar Vijay Patil for allegedly facilitating the illegal declassification of approximately 112 acres of agricultural land. The action, ordered on September 5th, follows a high-level inquiry into the irregular issuance of a ‘non-agricultural’ (NA) order for land acquired by a private company, M/s. Marathon Panvel Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. A departmental investigation has also been initiated against the official.
The suspension underscores the government’s low tolerance for procedural violations that potentially cause significant revenue loss. This decisive move by the Revenue Department, led by Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, comes after the matter was brought to light during the recent state assembly session. The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team first uncovered the intricate details of this case, revealing a pattern of alleged bypassing of established protocols.
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Chronology of the Land Declassification Controversy
The controversy centers on land parcels across villages like Vardoli, Poing, Bhingarwadi, Bhingar, Pali Budruk, and Bherele. Marathon Panvel Infrastructure originally purchased this land for industrial use in 2007. As per rules, the company was expected to develop it for industrial purposes within 15 years. However, with the land remaining unused, the company sought to convert its status from agricultural to non-agricultural, a move that drastically increases its market value for potential residential or commercial development.
Previous tehsildars had reportedly denied similar requests from the company’s agents. However, under Tehsildar Vijay Patil’s tenure, the NA order was swiftly issued on February 2, 2024. This action has raised serious red flags, as it was executed without due diligence and against several critical regulatory frameworks. The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team verified that the haste displayed in this decision was highly unusual.
A Web of Procedural Violations and Jurisdictional Overreach
A key violation identified by authorities involves jurisdictional overreach. The state government had reorganized the revenue divisions of Panvel villages on January 30, 2024. The villages in question were placed under the jurisdiction of Upper Tehsildar Jitendra Ingale, not Tehsildar Patil. Despite this, Patil proceeded to issue the NA order for these areas just three days later, acting beyond his official mandate and bypassing his superior.
Furthermore, the land is situated within the notified influence area of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NAINA) and includes parts designated as green and sensitive zones. Officials confirmed that the mandatory No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the NAINA authority were not obtained before the declassification order was passed. This omission represents a serious breach of urban development and environmental regulations.
Financial Implications and Revenue Loss
The procedural lapses have led to substantial financial implications for the state exchequer. Government policy mandates that a penalty of 2% of the land’s market value must be levied annually for such conversions after the initial 15-year industrial use period lapses. Additionally, a 50% premium on the market value is typically collected when land is transferred between companies for a new purpose.
Neither penalty was apparently imposed in this case. By granting the NA permission, the land was effectively removed from the purview of the Urban Land Ceiling Act, and the government lost its right to acquire over 54 acres of it. This decision resulted in a significant potential revenue loss for the state government, a fact highlighted in the investigation report.
Also Read: ED Raids Gyan Chand Agarwal in ₹150Cr Land Mafia Scam With 300 FIRs.
Ongoing Investigation and Broader Impact
The state government’s suspension order suggests that Tehsildar Patil executed this decision by keeping senior officials in the dark, an act deemed unacceptable for an officer of his rank. The subsequent departmental probe will determine the exact extent of the irregularities and any potential collusion. The findings from the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team have been critical in shaping the initial government response.
This case has sent ripples through the state’s revenue administration, signaling a strict stance against unauthorized land conversion deals. Stakeholders and policymakers are watching closely, as the outcome could set a precedent for handling similar cases of alleged graft and administrative overreach in land management across Maharashtra. The government’s action reaffirms its commitment to upholding land laws and protecting public revenue.
