Chairman of upper house directs transfer of Nashik civic chief

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Following a complaint that the civic corporation did not transfer the stipulated number of flats and land meant to be given to the economically weaker section, to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), the chairman of the upper house directed that the civic chief of Nashik be transferred immediately; pending inquiry into the charge that the irregularity has caused a loss of Rs 700 cr to the state.

Opposition leader Pravin Darekar, Kapil Patil and Amol Mitkari raised the question, saying the transfer of 7,000 flats and 200 plots (20 per cent of the total) was still pending in violation of MHADA regulations. They alleged a bureaucrat-builder nexus in the scam that has denied affordable housing to the EWS. They said NGOs and several individuals had petitioned the chief minister and others, and demanded an inquiry.

Housing minister Jitendra Awhad said the Nashik civic body hasn't transferred a single flat or plot yet, but gave the developers completion certificates. He said the loss could be to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore.

Awhad had taken to social media to highlight the issue a few days ago. He said on Monday that the civic body hasn't responded to MHADA since 2013. He said he had convened a meeting of the Nashik officials last November, but was not given proper inputs.

When the minister announced a probe panel under the leadership of Council Chairman Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar, the latter asked the government to transfer municipal commissioner Kailas Jadhav immediately, pending inquiry.