Is Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde turning a blind eye towards an alleged land grab at Zadani, some 35km from his native village Dare Tamb? The picturesque forest region in Satara district is fast becoming the epicentre of a major controversy.
Activist Sushant More, who is part of the Save Sahyadri campaign, said more than 620 acres of forest land in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve near the Koyna dam was purchased by senior Indian Revenue Service officer and principal GST commissioner of Gujarat, Chandrakant Valvi, and a group of people associated with him, in blatant violation of various laws. Sushant told THE WEEK that Valvi and his associates bought the land at throwaway prices— ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 per acre. “They misled local people by telling them that the government was going to acquire land for an upcoming project and that they would lose the land anyway, and coerced them into selling,” said Sushant.
After Shinde became chief minister, he took steps to improve tourism facilities in the region. Subsequently, many outsiders bought land in the area. Sushant paid a visit to the region to know more about the land deals. “I was told that the entire people of Zadani were resettled in Khalapur in Raigad district when the Koyna dam was built in 1962. At present, no one lives in Zadani, but the resettled families continue to own their ancestral land there,” said Sushant.
The relocated villagers in Khalapur told Sushant that they were coerced into selling their land by a few agents who told them that the government was going to acquire their land. “More than 50 landowners were tricked into selling their land by way of powers of attorney. These deals took place from 2002 to 2007. Now a resort is being constructed there and eight rooms are built already,” said Sushant. “Valvi and other owners are not allowing original landowners even to perform monthly pujas at their ancestral temple in Zadani.”
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock