Netas Call For ACB Probe Into Damaging Deals
BEST (Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking) gave additional construction rights to three builders on plots under its control in 2010, but charged premium at a rate fixed in 2006.
Builders were given 30% development right on six prime bus depot plots in 2006. The BEST management increased the space to 50% of the total land in 2010, but was paid rates fixed in 2006-07 for the additional construction right, says a BEST audit report.
TOI had reported in 2010 how a three-acre plot in BEST's Santacruz depot was given by BEST at a “throwaway“ price, following which the deal was cancelled. The then CM, Ashok Chavan, had ordered a probe into all BEST land deals, but not much appears to have come of it.
BEST's land was allowed to be commercially exploited during the tenure of its general manager Uttam Khobragade between 2006 and 2010. All development rights were given by open tendering and auction. In fact, realization increased substantially during auction. In one case, although the tender was opened for Rs 114 crore, the auction brought Rs 225 crore,“ Uttam Khobragade, who was BEST chief when the bus depot plots were given away for development, claimed when contacted by TOI for his response.
The six BEST plots--reserved for bus depot and staff quarters--are in Oshiwara, Mahim, Versova, Marol, Kandarpada (Dahisar) and Kurla.In 2006, the state government undertaking offered the plots for development to battle losses and boost facilities for staff. Builders received development rights after paying non-refundable money and offering to “develop facilities for bus depots and staff quarters“, says the audit report.The initial deals in 2006-07 faced accusations of being below market rates.
“In 2006, BEST tried to get state government permission to allow 100% development rights to builders, but got permission for only 30%.But when the tender was floated in 2006-07, it contained a condition that if the government allowed additional construction rights, the builders would pay according to the rates fixed in 2006,“ said a senior BEST official. “The process to increase development rights from 30% to 50 % took four years. BEST could not modify tender conditions afterwards,“ he added.
Premium high-rise towers have come up on a couple of plots (Oshiwara and Dahisar) while construction is on at the others. BEST will remain owner of the land where buildings have been constructed, said a BEST official.
The Wadhwa group got development rights to three plots. Its company Vijay As sociates promised Rs 220.3 crore to BEST on 30% development rights on the Goregaon (W) plot adjoining the Oshiwara depot in 2006 and Rs 121.6 crore on the additional 20% in 2010. Two plush 40floor towers that house several Bollywood celebrities have come up there; two more are under construction. In Kandarpada (Dahisar), another Wadhwa associate company Vinita Estate paid Rs 13.3 crore for building rights. Two highrises--18 and 14 floors each--stand there today; two more are coming up.
Sanjay Chhabria of Wadhwa group told TOI, “We received the tendered plot in 2006 with 30% FSI and with a commitment to go up to 100% FSI with an extra plot area.BEST was to get government permission in 60 days along with TDR to be loaded for which we paid the full amount. Till date we have not received the plot to construct the 20% (additional) FSI.There is no question of nonpayment.“
“The BEST management adopted corrupt practices while allotting prime plots on cheap rates. The builders didn't make full payment and waited for four years to get additional development before starting work. How could BEST fix the FSI rates four years in advance? The BEST didn't gain anything out of the deal. We want the entire deal to be investigated by the anti-corruption bureau,“ said Shivji Singh, Congress corporator and a member of the BEST committee.
A former BEST general manager said: “The builders paid minimal interest on the delayed payment afterwards. The delay in payment always goes in favour of the builders.“
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