Political parties keep mum, make way for return of plot at Parvati

The controversial proposal, seeking the return of a vacant plot at Parvati to its original owner, came up for discussion at the general body meeting held on Monday, during which, all political parties gave their nod for the proposal. The plot has been in the possession of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) since 1963.

Against the background of increasing criticism on the issue and the administration taking a stand not to return the plot to the original owner, the attention was solely on the decision of the elected members on Monday. 

The plot , on survey number 120A, 120B and Town Planning Scheme 124/2, is located in front of Pu La Deshpande garden on Singhgad road. 

Earlier, the standing committee also approved the proposal. The elected members from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) put the proposal in front of the standing committee and requested to return the plot to the original owner. 

Congress party member Avinash Bagwe and Shiv Sena member Nana Bhangire took objection and requested to rethink the proposal. However, as Shiv Sena’s senior leader requested the Sena member to keep mum on the proposal, Bhangire withdrew the proposal of rethinking the standing committee’s decision. 

However, as the Congress member Avinash Bagwe remained firm on not returning the plot to the original owner, the proposal came in front of the general body meeting for a final decision. 

After the standing committee’s decision, the municipal administration said that the matter is already going to the court and they would challenge the standing committee’s decision. 

As NCP, BJP and Shiv Sena, all settled on this proposal, it was expected that at least the Congress would make some noise on the proposal. But, as soon as the proposal was announced in the general body, all party members quietly gave their nod for the proposal.  

Background 

The Pune Municipal Corporation had acquired the land at Parvati which is located on Survey Number 120 A, 120 B and 124/2 Town Planning scheme. The total land acquired in the year 1963 and total plot area was 27 acres. It was acquired for the purpose of rehabilitating brick kiln owners. Total 40 plots were allotted to the brick kiln owners. 

The original land owner Madhukar Raut appealed in the court. The PMC also filed the writ petition in the court. The High Court given decision in favour of Pune Municipal Corporation in the year 2017. But owner again went in the court. Meantime owner also applied with the PMC and requested to return the four plots to him as a compensation. As per the owners letter, PMC standing committee took decision to return the plot to the original owner and requested the state government to take final decision on it as per the court’s direction.