State's 'Singur' may not bite

PUNE: The agitation that followed the MIDC’s move to acquire land in Maan for expanding the software technology park at Hinjewadi may die down soon. The reason: The landowners in the region are expected to reap a windfall as they could get paid twice the normal market rate for the same parcel of land.

The stir, which began earlier this year, is believed to have been sparked off at the behest of investors — read real estate developers — from Pune. These investors had bought the land from their respective owners without changing the land records. So, for all practical purposes, the land is still held in the name of the original owners.

Earlier, Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, who had visited the area immediately after the agitation, had cautioned the land owners against selling their property to real estate developers.

“Do not sell it to the MIDC if you don’t want to, but don’t approach real estate developers at a later stage either, since the land would be turned into a green zone,” he had said. The popular view prevailing here then was Mr Pawar was well aware of the state of affairs.

MIDC officials have declined to comment, citing departmental rules. Market sources, however, said the MIDC was seeking to acquire 464-hectare land under Hinjewadi Phase IV in Maan village and an additional 59 hectares for roads. They claimed that over 60% of these lands are held by investors who now face the possibility of losing their investment.

“Some of the land owners may pay them back after the MIDC hands over cheques, some may not. These investors, who had bought the land some years ago without changing the land record register, will now get no remedy in law either.

Farmers and land owners there are now free to sell the land to the MIDC, a government agency, who will ensure the legal procedures are completed,” sources maintained, adding that this could soon lead to an end of the Maan agitation and pave the way for expansion of the Hinjewadi IT park.

gouri.athale@timesgroup.com