A routine review meeting on part of Mayor Neeta Thakre blew the lid on alleged diversion of prime land in Smart City reserved for crematorium. Narendra alias Balya Borkar, Ruling Party Leader in Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), giving details, said about 17 acres land belonging to extended Talmale family was reserved in DP plan for crematorium. During the meeting on Monday, the officials however informed that only 1.5 acre remains, and Borkar claimed, some insiders colluded with a prominent builder to divert the public land. Borkar said a review meeting was held on Monday at NMC Headquarters with focus on upgrading amenities at crematorium. The local corporators and the East Nagpur MLA did not know about the alleged diversion, and only when officials informed about present status, a dead silence prevailed. Borkar was interacting with newspersons on Tuesday at NMC Headquarters, wherein he said a detailed inquiry would shed light on the wrong-doing, saying due to this, the plan for a bigger crematoria has suffered a setback. Borkar said Mayor has ordered a thorough inquiry in the issue and has asked administration to submit findings.

 

The Ruling Party Leader said the elected representatives were shell-shocked on learning about dilution in land holding. At present, Pardi crematorium is hit by capacity constraint, and hence everyone was under the impression that 17 acres of land in Smart City area can come in handy for laying out a well-equipped crematorium. To a query, Borkar said, as of now it’s not known as to how the scam got hatched, but he indirectly called for probe to focus on role of senior officers of the civic body also.

 

It’s not so easy to dilute the reservation in DP, while refusing to take any names as suspects. To divert a public land, the UDCPR has laid down the norms, wherein a public advertisement is to be issued in local dailies, calling for suggestions and objections. But strangely, Smart City Corporation seemingly bypassed the process and allegedly diverted the crematoria land. Right now, the name of buyer who unsurped the public land is still not known, but Borkar said, he is going to lodge an FIR to ensure full investigation as criminal proceedings must be initiated. In case needed, the Ruling Party Leader said he is contemplating approaching the court to seek direction for FIR in the illegal diversion of public land.