Maharashtra government waives of nazarana from war widow for possession of land

Following flak from the Bombay high court, the Maharashtra government has waived off the 'nazarana' (additional charges) it demanded from 72-year-old Indira Jadhav, war widow who lost her husband during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1965, for handing over possession of 10 acres of agricultural land at Ratnagiri that was awarded to her.

A division bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Ajey Gadkari have also directed the government not to insist on Jadhav's personal presence, who is undergoing cancer treatment in Pune. Instead, the court has allowed her to produce identification proof based on which the government should hand over the possession of the land at Khed, Ratnagiri, to her.

The government informed the high court on Wednesday that it (government) has waived off the 'nazarana' it had demanded earlier. Before this, the government officials demanded money to measure the piece of land which is to be allotted to her. Jadhav had once again approached the high court after the officials demanded additional money from her.

The high court, on August 5, had directed the government to ensure that not only she, but even other similarly placed persons are granted relief expeditiously. The high court had also imposed cost of Rs75,000 on the government and directed the district collector, Ratnagiri, to allot 300 square metre of residential land and 10 aces of agricultural plot to Jadhav.

dna had reported in October 2013 how Jadhav had to knock the doors of the high court after failing to get justice despite having letters from former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and army chiefs. She filed the petition through advocates Avinash Gokhale and Mayuresh Modgi.

Despite the HC order, the government authorities sent a letter to Jadhav asking her to pay Rs12,000 and then remain present at the land measuring office in Khed with identity proof.

After receiving the letter, she filed a civil application before the HC in September. Her advocate Gokhale argued that the government had already deducted Rs30,000 from the amount that was awarded to her as per the ready reckoner rates of 1998-99. The remaining amount of Rs45,000 was credited to her bank account.

The government then took a U-turn, and said it had waived the fees for her. However, the government asked her to pay 'nazrana'.

The story of Indira Jadhav
Jadhav, who now resides in Pune, lost her husband Babaji, a sepoy in the Maratha Light Infantry, Belgaum, on October 27, 1965 in Ladakh. At the time, Jadhav was pregnant, but later delivered a stillborn baby, said advocate Gokhale. With no support coming in, Jadhav took up tailoring before getting the job of a primary teacher in Ratnagiri.

In 1971, she applied for agricultural and residential land, according to the existent government policies.

A 'nazarana' system was practised in olden days when anyone going to visit kings would carry a gift.