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Mumbai, Nov 6 (IANS) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar has distanced himself from the high-value land transaction in Pune’s Mundwa-Koregaon Park involving his son Parth Pawar, saying he has nothing remotely to do with the deal.
Expressing support for the order for investigation issued by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he said that doing so is the right step.
He stressed his commitment to legality and called for strict action if any abuses were found.
He claimed, “Till date, I have never given instructions to the officials that my close or distant relatives will benefit. I have never called the officials and given any order. As the Deputy Chief Minister, I tell all the officials and employees that if anyone uses my name for wrongdoing or does something that is not in accordance with the rules, I will not support them. I am a person who works within the ambit of law and rules.”
He clarified, “I have no connection with the deal and I have not instructed any official to benefit relatives or party workers. If anyone has misused my name in the case, strict action should be taken against them.”
He said that he works within the ambit of law. He said, “When children of a family become adults, they behave in their own way. But I have not called any authority for this, nor do I have any connection with it. I am a Constitution-abiding and law-abiding person and try to ensure that others also act according to the law. Therefore, I will speak on the matter tomorrow after getting detailed information.”
Earlier, Parth Pawar said, “I have not done anything wrong.”
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “I have sought all the information in this matter. I have sought all the information from the Revenue Department, Registration and Inspector General of Land Records. I have also ordered a proper investigation. The issues that are coming up are serious. Therefore, we should speak about it only after getting the correct information. After getting the information today, we will clarify the direction regarding the next action of the government.”
Fadnavis’ move comes after former leader of opposition in the State Council and Shiv Sena UBT leader Ambadas Danve accused Ajit Pawar of misuse of power, saying land worth Rs 1,800 crore was allegedly purchased for Rs 300 crore with payment of stamp duty of just Rs 500.
He said, “Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar’s company Amedia, which has a share capital of just Rs 1 lakh, was able to buy such expensive land. This scam should now be investigated. Besides, the revenue department has suspended tehsildar Suryakant Yewale and sub-registrar Ravindra Taru for their role in the transaction.”
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed that the department will review the matter only after receiving a formal written complaint by anti-corruption crusader Anjali Damania in this regard.
Danve said that the 40-acre plot in the Mundwa-Koregaon Park area, which was reportedly classified as government-owned land under the ‘Watan’ category (reserved for the Mahar community and protected under the Bombay Inferior Village Watan Abolition Act, 1958) – was sold to Amedia Enterprises LLP (which in some reports is known as Amedia Holdings LLP) for about Rs 300 crore. Also called) was sold.
Incidentally, Parth Pawar is listed as a partner in the firm, and the registered address of the company matches his residence in Yashwant Nagar, Pune.
Danve alleged that the market value of the land is reportedly “significantly higher” than the transaction price, raising questions about the undervaluation.
“The company has also started preparations to build an IT park and data center there. Parth Pawar should now come forward and tell this, so that other youth can also understand the secret of his success!” He commented.
–IANS
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