Special Correspondent
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is facing criticism for allegedly bypassing legal procedures to allocate a Rs 100 crore plot in Mumbai to cricketer Ajinkya Rahane without a tender process. The plot, intended for an indoor cricket training center, has been leased to Rahane for 30 years, with a premium of approximately Rs 5 crore and an annual ground rent.
RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar claims that the reasons provided for this allocation lack legal standing, making the entire transaction unlawful. The plot, which was previously allotted to cricketer Sunil Gavaskar for the same purpose, has now been reallocated to Rahane, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the process.
Alleged Misuse of Public Property
The plot, located in Bandra Reclamation, is currently valued at over Rs 100 crore. It was originally provided to Sunil Gavaskar by MHADA in 1988 for the establishment of an indoor cricket training center. However, despite the plot being under Gavaskar’s name for over three decades, the cricket training center was never established. In 2022, the Gavaskar Foundation requested the return of the plot due to non-utilization, and the government subsequently canceled the allocation in June 2022.
The Maharashtra government has now decided to reallocate the plot to Rahane, who is seen by local representatives as more likely to successfully develop the sports facility. However, Kumbhar questions whether the state government believes that Gavaskar lacked the ability to establish a training center, implying that Rahane is more suited for the project. He also points out that changes to the original rules have now allowed construction on the plot, which was previously restricted.
Legal Concerns Raised
Kumbhar argues that the plot was leased to Rahane without following proper procedures, including a transparent tender process, which makes the entire deal illegal. He further questions how the state government and the cabinet are making decisions on public property without adhering to rules and laws. While supporting the idea of allocating land to sportspeople, Kumbhar insists that the manner in which this decision was made raises serious legal concerns.
A 34-Year Delay in Cricket Training Facility
Kumbhar also raises a key issue regarding the 34-year delay in establishing the cricket training center. The plot, which should have seen development within a year of its allocation to Gavaskar in 1988, has remained unused for over three decades.
Kumbhar finds it surprising that it took Gavaskar this long to realize that the center could not be established, which he believes is a significant issue.
Ajinkya Rahane, who captains the Mumbai Ranji team, declined to comment on the matter, citing ongoing Ranji matches and a lack of information regarding the objections to the plot allocation. He promised to address the issue once he gathers more details.
Alleged Suspicious Transactions
Kumbhar argues that the allocation of this Rs 100 crore plot raises suspicions. He claims the plot is in poor condition and has been illegally occupied by slum dwellers, making it highly questionable that it was transferred without a tender process. Additionally, Kumbhar suggests that local representatives and Rahane’s demands may have led to the plot being granted to the cricketer, although the entire transaction has been shrouded in controversy and manipulation of documents.
