11 educational institutes in Pune flout govt land lease norms

Eleven educational institutes in the district that had acquired government land on lease were found to be flouting the terms of the lease and had either used the land for commercial purposes or not commenced construction within the given time frame.

DNA obtained this information through a right to information (RTI) query with the revenue department of the Pune district collectorate, seeking details of government land given on lease to educational institutes over the last decade.

The query also asked for a list of educational institutes that had flouted the terms and conditions of the lease. Bharati Vidyapeeth and the Pune International Marathon Trust of the now jailed city MP, Suresh Kalmadi, figure prominently among the 11 institutes.

In the given time frame the revenue department had leased out land to 143 educational institutes in all talukas in the district, except Velhe. The terms of the lease included starting construction within the specified time and that the land should be used only for educational purposes.

Documents given to DNA reveal that of the 11 institutes, nine have not developed their land. Sarhad has used for commercial purposes 4,000 square metres of the land given to it in Katraj, while Bharati Vidyapeeth had only partially utilised the land leased to it in Lohegaon.

The 10 hectares given to Maharashtra Mahatma Gandhi Smarak Fund, Kothrud, have been encroached upon as it was allowed to lie unused.

On their part, the tehsildars concerned submitted their findings to their higher-ups and are awaiting action.