Sena leader 'misused' position to get slum rehab contracts: Sanjay Nirupam
Mumbai: Days after accusing Shiv Sena leader and MoS Housing Ravindra Waikar of "usurping" 20 acres land, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam on Saturday alleged that the minister misused his position to secure a slum redevelopment project contract for a firm in which he is a partner. However, Waikar refuted the charge saying Nirupam was levelling false allegations to defame him.
"Waikar is involved in all sorts of wrongdoings and I am going to expose him in the coming days. In our latest finding, we have come to know that he has tweaked the rules of a slum redevelopment and rehabilitation scheme to facilitate permission for a construction firm, in which he is a partner," Nirupam said.
"This particular project is for the rehabilitation of 107 slum dwellers in Jogeshwari area. As per the rules of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and a Bombay High Court judgement, permissions should not have been issued as the project falls within a radius of 300 metres from Jogeshwari caves, a protected monument," the Mumbai Congress chief alleged.
"Rules do not allow construction within 300 metres of such protected sites. However, Waikar misused his power and position, tweaked the rule and granted permissions so that his firm gets the redevelopment contract," the former MP said.
He also claimed that it was a fit case of conflict of interest and he has sent all the documentary evidences to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for action against Waikar.
On Wednesday, Nirupam had accused Waikar of "usurping" 20 acres land worth Rs 20 crore in Aarey Colony area here and also alleged that Waikar made an additional construction in the state-run gymnasium located adjacent to the "grabbed" land and is running the facility through his private unregistered Trust.
Nirupam said he has decided to approach the Lokayukta against Waikar in this connection on Monday.
"In connection with the irregularities in the construction of Aarey Colony gymnasium and encroachment at Green zone land, I am going to file a complaint against the minister with the Lokayukta," the Congress leader said.
When contacted, Waikar said Nirupam was levelling "false" allegations to defame him and added that according to the Union Government rules, construction outside the 100 metres radius of the protected sites is permitted.
"Nirupam is making baseless and false allegations. This slum redevelopment work was going on in the area even before the 2004 Bombay High Court order prohibited construction within designated distance from the protected sites. But, what about the people who were already shifted out before the HC order came? Is it a crime to get these people the homes they were promised?" Waikar told PTI.
Waikar said the Centre later allowed construction outside the radius of 100 metres. "I am doing all that I can to ensure that the poor get what they have been promised. My name is not there in any SRA development work," he said.
"We will rehabilitate even those people who have been staying within the radius of 100 mts of the caves," he said.
