Nagpur Dec 13 – Maharashtra MLC Satyajeet Tambe on Tuesday demanded that the state government take over the Sinnar Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project land and give 22 percent of the developed plot to those affected by the initiative.
He was speaking during a debate at the winter session of the Legislative Council.
State Industries Minister Uday Samant responded positively to Tambe’s demands and assured relief for the project-affected people (PAPs).
The current land allotment stands at 15%.
Tambe said about 3,000 acres of land was allotted to India Bulls under the SEZ project in Sinnar in 2007 when Vilasrao Deshmukh was the CM.
“The company had an 89% stake while MIDC had an 11% stake in the project. But in the last 15 years, except for starting a thermal power plant, fencing and plotting, nothing has been done. While acquiring land, it was stipulated to give 15% additional developed land to the project-affected farmers and to develop industrial areas in Jalna, Latur, Nanded and Osmanabad (Dharashiv) in Marathwada. However, no conditions have been fulfilled n the last 16 years,” Tambe said.
Tambe also said that the government has sent a notice to the India Bulls Company to return the land under the Maharashtra Government Premises Eviction Act, 1955. “However, MIDC only has 11% stake in the project, so a question arises on whether such a notice will be applicable,” he said, adding, “the farmers have had no land for the last 15 years.
“Therefore, while giving them land now, instead of the earlier provision of 15%, a new provision of 22% developed land should be applicable.” He also insisted that the government should give a concrete time frame for when this land will be available.
Samant said: “Keeping in mind that India Bulls can go to court against the notice sent by the government, the government has filed a caveat in the High Court. Additionally, the company had time until December 2 to respond. As a result, we will start the process of taking over the place.”
Tambe suggested that MAHAGENCO should undertake the thermal project.
“The Power Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, MAHAGENCO, Industries Minister, and MIDC should hold a collective meeting and examine whether the project can be taken over by the subsidiary. As a result, both these two state-of-the-art thermal power plants in Nashik district will come to MAHAGENCO,” Tambe said.
