A 22,055 sq ft former bureaucrats' high-rise society in South Mumbai has received an extended concession from the Maharashtra Government after nearly 47 years, according to Indian Express. The state government has modified the original use of the land allotted to Shakala Cooperative Housing Society.
The first floor of the building was sub-leased for commercial use because of which the Mumbai Collector's office had sent them a Rs. 2.18 crore recovery notice in 2017, also warning them that if they fail to comply then the land will be expropriated.
Upon the society’s request, the government has intervened and made an ex post facto change to the original purpose of land, helping the society in dodging the Collector’s action. After the approval of both the Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis government, a resolution was issued which notified about the modification in use of land.
The current government is in support of the society. Countering the Collector’s action, the orders issued on June 1 have revised the original land use condition with retrospective effect, permitting the society to “use the 4875 sq ft portion for any commercial purpose consistent with the provisions of Mumbai’s development control regulations”. Despite the modification, the licence fee of Rs 50 paise per sq ft for the commercial use has been retained.
Back in January 2013, the unauthorised commercial use of the property came to the then Mumbai Collector Dr Ashwini Joshi’s notice and she objected to the alleged activities being carried out, in which it was found that the society has let out the premises Edelweiss Capital instead of ONGC who was entitled to the premises as per the Land Grant Order. The place had been let out to the finance company since June 2, 2000 without the taking the government’s approval.
According to the original Land Grant Order, it was meant to be for residential purpose only and for no other reason except to the extent of 4,875 sq ft (on the first floor), which was permitted to sublet to the ONGC vide order dated August 26, 1977, on payment of license fee of 50 paisa per sq ft.
