Nagpur: Maharashtra Revenue Minister
Narayan Rane filed a personal affidavit before a High Court
bench refuting allegations against him made by a local
industrialist Shailendra Sahu in renewal of land lease row.
He urged the High Court to direct the petitioner to
delete his name from the array of respondents.
Rane also questioned the contention of the petitioner
that Revenue Minister of State Government has no jurisdiction
to consider renewal or cancellation of lease of Government
land.
Infact when the proceeding for lease renewal began,
Patangrao Kadam was the Revenue Minister, Rane stated in
his affidavit while wondering as to why wild allegation of
favouring another industrialist Aspi Bapuna were levelled
against him.
Rane stated that he accorded a fair opportunity to the
petitioners counsel to file a detailed reply and unnecessary
aspersions have been casted against him.
The Revenue Department in its separate affidavit also
reiterated the same stance and asserted that Revenue Minister
and State Government has every right and jurisdiction under
Maharashtra Land Revenue Code to sanction either the grant or
renewal of lease action regarding breach of lease conditions
if the market value of land exceeds Rs 3.75 lakh.
Both the affidavits categorically denied that during
hearing held on April 20, the Revenue Minister scolded counsel
for the petitioner and tried to pass order in favour of M/s
Vidarbha Distillers.
PTI
