Aurangabad, Jan 3:
Maharashtra State Board of Wakfs (MSBW) took an objection to constructing the office of Smart City in a building near Aam Khaas ground.
It may be noted that the Central and State Government sanctioned Rs 500 crore under the Smart City Project. Aurangabad Smart City Development Corporation Ltd decided to construct its head office in an old building located near Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Research Centre in survey no 210 near Aam Khaas ground from the fund. The tendering process was finalised.
Earlier, the land was in possession of Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). So, the AMC decided to use that land for one of the Command Centres of CCTV under Smart City project. The land is into controversy.
Taking an objection to the development, MSBW sent a letter to the administrator and commissioner Astik Kumar Pande instructing him to stop construction work instantly.
The letter stated that 21.28 acres of land in survey no 210 on Aam Khaas ground belongs to the Wakfs Board. As per the orders dated June 20, 2014, the land was declared property of MSBW and gave it to Jama Masjid.
The AMC challenged the decision in the Maharashtra State Wakfs Tribunal and the court in 2014. The court rejected the claim of AMC on January 4,2017. The civic body filed a petition in the High Court, but, did not inform the Wakfs Board.
“The Corporation is constructing Smart City office illegally on the land without informing or taking permission from MSBW. The work should be stopped,” it was stated in the letter.
It was declared government land in 1971 as per the Maharashtra Land Revenue Rules 1971.