District administration has struck down then Revenue Minister and Congress leader Narayan Rane's order and upheld imposition of more than Rs 1,43 crore penalty on a government contractor for allegedly carrying out illegal quarrying near here.
"I have reviewed the case on the basis of the evidence on file and the written arguments filed by the petitioner/complainant Rajanikant Borele and respondent Sanjay Chhiddarwar and come to the conclusion that the construction company has carried out illegal quarrying. I hereby confirm the fine imposed by my predecessor", Collector Ashwin Mudgal said in his recent order.
The case is related to illegal quarrying by the city-based government contractor Sanjay Chhiddarwar.
The case was reverted to the district administration by the Bombay High Court after Chhiddarwar challenged previous district collector's order dated February 23, 2005 imposing fine on his firm. Chhiddarwar challenged the order before divisional commissioner, Amravati, who while upholding the order brought down the fine to Rs 1,09,01,996 from Rs 1,43,19,338.
Aggrieved by the order, Chhidarwar approached senior Congress leader and then Revenue Minister Narayan Rane who ordered cancellation of fine.
According to Borele, Rane even ordered return of royalty deposit of Rs. 6,50,000 to Chhiddarwar on April 6, 2006.
Rane's order was challenged by the petitioner before the high court which asked the district collector to decide the case accordingly.
The state government had granted a piece of land to Chhidarwar's company for quarrying. According to petitioner, the firm continued quarrying even after expiry of the lease.
