MUMBAI:NCP leader and former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday found himself in hot water as a Pune-based RTI activist Ravindra Barhate alleged that he had prevailed upon the administration to illegally transfer 73 acres of forest land in his hometown Baramati to an educational institute headed by his uncle and party chief Sharad Pawar.
Barhate produced documents, obtained under the Right to Information Act, to corroborate his allegations at a news conference here.
According to the documents, Pune Collector Saurabh Rao transferred 73 acres of land, which had been in the custody of an educational institute – Krishi Udyog Mool Shikshan Sanstha (KUMSS) at Karhati near Baramati – to another educational institute – Vidya Pratishthan in Baramati – on August 28. While Pawar is the founder chairman of Vidya Pratishthan, Ajit is the chairman of KUMSS.
Barhate has alleged that the transfer of land was illegal as laid down procedures and rules had not been followed.
“As per Article 36 of Maharashtra Public Trust Act, no government land could be transferred from one institute to another without previous sanction from the Charity Commissioner.”
