1 week ago
Vadodara Plot Dispute Puts Municipal Land Auctions Under Scrutiny
Vadodara’s city government wanted to prepare several plots of land for possible auctions.
Some councillors asked how the land could be auctioned when parts of it may be occupied or difficult to access.
One disputed plot is next to cricketer Yusuf Pathan’s home and has been the subject of a court case.
The government had earlier rejected a plan to give that plot to Pathan without an auction.
A citizens’ group says the plot should first be cleared and taken back by the city.
Another dispute concerns a road that residents say is blocked near an ISKCON complex.
City officials have now decided to study each plot separately.
The final auction decisions will depend on the land’s legal and physical condition.
Vadodara Municipal Corporation withdrew a proposal to value seven plots after councillors questioned their legal and physical status.
The dispute includes a 978-square-metre Tandalja plot occupied by former cricketer Yusuf Pathan’s family.
The Gujarat High Court has questioned the continued occupation of public land and is scheduled to hear the case again on August 31.
Citizens have alleged that the ISKCON complex obstructs access to a planned nine-metre road near another proposed auction plot.
Officials say the plots will be reconsidered individually after concerns about encroachments, public reservations and access roads.
- Who
- Vadodara Municipal Corporation, its elected members, Yusuf Pathan, residents’ groups and the Gujarat High Court are involved.
- What
- The VMC paused a proposal to value seven plots for possible disposal or auction because of questions about encroachments, access and public reservations.
- Where
- The disputed plots are in Vadodara, including Tandalja, Gotri and Bhayli.
- When
- The General Board considered the proposal on August 10; the Pathan dispute is scheduled for its next hearing on August 31.
- Why
- Members questioned whether land under alleged occupation, litigation or blocked access could be fairly and legally auctioned.
Auction and Encroachment Concerns
Municipal Process and Reconsideration
Whether occupied land should be auctioned
Auction and Encroachment Concerns
The Vishwamitri Bachao Samiti argues that the VMC should first remove alleged encroachments and take physical possession so bidders can compete fairly and the city can assess any financial loss.
Municipal Process and Reconsideration
VMC officials say valuation is a required step before an auction and that encroachment-related decisions will follow court directions and be considered for each plot.
Yusuf Pathan’s continued occupation
Auction and Encroachment Concerns
The Gujarat High Court has indicated that long possession without legal authority does not automatically create a right and that any period of unauthorised occupation may affect damages or charges.
Municipal Process and Reconsideration
Pathan’s counsel sought time to pursue a claim under the Gujarat government’s policy concerning allotment of land to international sportspersons; the court granted four weeks.
Access to the Gotri plot
Auction and Encroachment Concerns
Sujata Co-operative Housing Society and the citizens’ group allege that the ISKCON complex has obstructed a planned public road, potentially giving an adjoining occupant an advantage in any auction.
Municipal Process and Reconsideration
Temple representatives said they were unaware of the proposals and declined to comment, while a VMC official said the road was never built and acknowledged that access remains disputed.
Key facts
- Plots under review
- Seven VMC plots were included in the withdrawn valuation proposal.
- Pathan plot
- The Tandalja plot measures 978 square metres.
- Pathan plot valuation
- The Standing Committee approved a valuation of Rs 2.10 lakh per square metre, or approximately Rs 20.5 crore.
- Earlier proposed premium
- A 2012 proposal valued the Tandalja plot at Rs 57,270 per square metre, with a premium of about Rs 5.6 crore.
- Gotri commercial plot
- Final Plot No. 49 measures about 1,527 square metres and is earmarked for commercial sale.
- Disputed road
- Residents and a citizens’ group allege that a planned nine-metre-wide, approximately 650-metre-long road is blocked near the ISKCON complex.
- Other reservations
- Other plots include land designated for a neighbourhood centre, an ST bus stand, a central health centre and a school-cum-games ground.
Quotes
Arun Mahesh Babu
Vadodara Municipal Commissioner
“I asked the Board to send the proposal back when they had objections about the seven plots being clubbed under one proposal… We have told them we will take them up on a case-to-case basis and resubmit individual land proposals. The valuation has to be done before the auction and so we have already done that.”
indianexpress.com
“The proposal put forth before the Standing Committee in July was for approval to decide the market value of the plots. It is the discretion of the corporation to conduct the land valuation of its own plots. The Committee only approved the valuation that had been decided and proposed.”
indianexpress.com
Senior VMC officer
Unidentified senior Vadodara Municipal Corporation official
“The decision on removal of encroachment will be subject to the directions of the HC in the case (of Yusuf Pathan). It is certain that regardless of the decision to seek fresh approval from the state government for the auction of this land and even if Pathan is allowed to participate in the auction, the charges for the occupation so far will have to be paid by him.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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