Key Points

Maharashtra's Revenue Minister announced a special drive to return illegally grabbed lands to poor citizens. The government cited a case where Ambedkar's heir regained land after illegal constructions were demolished. Officials involved in land scams will face investigations and penalties. The Water Resources Department is also using drones to clear encroachments near dams.

Key Points: Maharashtra to Launch Drive Restoring Lands Seized from Poor

  • Maharashtra govt to restore lands grabbed from poor through force or fraud
  • Action promised against officials involved in illegal land deals
  • Compensation planned for citizens misled into buying illegal flats
  • Drones to survey encroachments in dam areas under water conservation scheme
3 min read

Special drive to restore lands of poor to be launched soon: Maha Minister

Maharashtra Revenue Minister announces special campaign to return grabbed lands to poor, vows action against land mafias and encroachments.

"A complaint was received that unauthorized construction was being done on the land of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's heir... All these constructions have been demolished. – Chandrashekhar Bawankule"

Mumbai, July 11

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Friday in the state Assembly announced that a special campaign will be launched to restore the land seized from the poor in various parts of Maharashtra.

He told the house that the government has received complaints that the lands of the poor are being grabbed by intimidation, force, or by showing them bait. He was replying to a question raised by the Congress legislator Aslam Shaikh in this regard.

Minister Bawankule said, "A complaint was received that unauthorized construction was being done on the land of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's heir, Yashwant Bhimrao Ambedkar, in Golavli, Kalyan taluka. About 72 flats and 8 commercial buildings were constructed on this land. All these unauthorized constructions have been demolished, and this land has been given back to the heirs of Babasaheb Ambedkar. The then concerned officials will be investigated in this regard, and action will be taken against them. There is no fault of the citizens who took flats and buildings in this building. Action will be taken to pay them compensation."

He further said that the Revenue Department will control the sale huts in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region area in collaboration with the relevant agencies. “The government is serious about taking action against such land mafias. Strict action will be taken against them. The relevant agencies should protect those places so that there is no encroachment on government land anywhere. Discussions will be held with the Chief Minister regarding making a law to prevent encroachment on government lands. Action will be taken by informing the Nagpur District Collector regarding encroachment on government lands in Nagpur city,” he added.

Meanwhile, Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil in the state council said that the Soil and Water Conservation Department is implementing the 'Sediment-free Dam, Sediment-filled Shivar' scheme to remove silt accumulated in small irrigation projects. Along with this, a programme has been undertaken to remove encroachments in the dam area, and this is being surveyed through drones. He was replying to a question raised by Shiv Sena legislator Manisha Kayande regarding the provision of funds for the cleaning of lakes.

Minister Vikhe Patil said that under the 'Sediment-free dam, sediment-filled Shivar' scheme implemented through public participation, farmers are provided with a fund of Rs 35.75 per cubic meter within a limit of Rs 15,000 through the District Collector for removing silt. He also said that the machinery of the Mechanical Department will be used effectively for removing silt.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
The Ambedkar land case shows how brazen these land grabbers are. Good that action was taken, but why only after media coverage? The system needs proactive measures, not reactive ones.
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Arjun K
Using drones for survey is a smart move! Technology should be used more in governance. But what about compensation for those who unknowingly bought illegal flats? ₹15,000 limit seems too low.
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Priya S
My uncle in Thane lost his small plot to land sharks last year. Hope this drive helps common people like him. The real test will be implementation - hope it's not just "sarkari vaada" 🤞
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Michael C
While the intent is good, I'm skeptical about execution. Maharashtra has seen many such announcements before. The real challenge is breaking the politician-mafia-bureaucrat nexus that enables land grabbing.
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Nisha Z
The silt removal scheme is actually brilliant! Killed two birds with one stone - cleaned dams and improved farm soil. More such innovative schemes needed across India! 👏

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