Saffron alliance strains under land ceiling act

Saffron alliance partners, BJP and Shiv Sena took diametrically opposite stands on the repeal of the Urban Land Ceiling Act (ULCA) in the state assembly on Wednesday. While the sena opposed the repeal of the bill, BJP supported it.

Leader of opposition Ramdas Kadam while opposing the repeal of the act, tabled a motion to send the bill to select committee of the house and ask for suggestions and objections of people.

Pleading against the repeal of the act, Kadam claimed, "If the state government shows the will to acquire 30,000 acres of land in Mumbai and adjoining areas, which has been declared excess under the ULCA's provision then it could be acquired for just Rs 7 crore. However even if the state government decides to sell this land at the rate mentioned in the ready reckoner, then the state government can earn around Rs 2 lakh crore, which will help state government to repay its entire loan of Rs 1.45 lakh crore.

Pointing out that of this 30,000 acres nearly 7,000 acres was owned by six individuals and private trusts, Kadam alleged, "State government couldn't show willingness to acquire the land because they are more interested in favouring few rich land lords and not the common man."

He also claimed that if the land acquired under the ULCA provided to the housing societies floated by the common man, then common man can get 400 sq ft of house for Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh. Presently, in even remote corners of Mumbai, a small flat is not available below Rs 20 lakh.

Supporting the repealing of the act, BJP MLA Devendra Phadanvis without taking Sena's name reminded them that it was part of the National Democratic Alliance government which took a decision to repeal the act at the Centre in 1999.

He said, "The act failed to serve its purpose and had become a tool for the bureaucracy and politicians to exploit the common man. This is an act which reminds us of the socialistic era and it has no place in the new liberal economy."

Pointing out that a major chunk of land acquired under the ULC by the government was distributed to various 'so-called' "charitable trusts" of politicians, Phadnvis said, "Those who think the land in Mumbai, even if acquired will be given to the poor and middle class are day dreaming."

Pointing out that unlike Mumbai, most of the land in other nine urban agglomerations of the state like Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad and other places, was held by the common farmer and he had suffered immensely.

Their land was acquired for a pittance and properties of the people with money, social or political standing were left untouched."

Elaborating on the point, Phadnvis said, a senior high court judge and his family-owned 40 acres of land on the outskirts of Nagpur which was sold for Rs 105 crore recently.

People of the stature of a high court judge were allowed to hold the land but those who owned 3 or 4 acres were stripped of their lands. Besides, there is a ban on the sale of land covered under the ULC. So will the government act against the judge under ULCA, Phadnvis sought to know.

Discussion on ULCA repeal bill remained inconclusive on Wednesday.