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The Maharashtra government has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into alleged violations of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) quota in residential projects across Nashik. The decision, announced in the past week by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, follows reports that developers failed to comply with the mandatory 20% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income groups (LIG). The probe will examine projects exceeding 4,000 sq m, where irregularities such as under-reporting of project size and use of forged documents have been flagged. As many as 49 projects are under scrutiny, with authorities expected to assess compliance, identify responsible stakeholders, and recommend legal and administrative action. The SIT has been tasked with submitting its findings within a defined timeframe.
The Maharashtra government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the past week to probe alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) reservation quota in Nashik, following reports of non-compliance by developers in multiple residential projects. Advertisement
The decision was announced by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who directed that a detailed investigation be undertaken into housing projects where developers were required to reserve 20 per cent of land or built-up units for economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income groups (LIG), in accordance with state housing norms issued in 2013.
The SIT will focus on projects built on land parcels exceeding 4,000 sq m, where such reservation is mandatory. Preliminary findings suggest that several developers may have bypassed this requirement by under-reporting project size, subdividing land parcels, or using fabricated documentation and forged approvals to avoid compliance.
According to officials, the probe will cover at least 49 housing projects in Nashik, where irregularities have been identified through earlier inquiries and complaints. The investigation will examine whether developers failed to surrender the required share of housing or land to MHADA and whether statutory approvals, including occupation certificates, were granted without verifying compliance.
The SIT has been mandated to identify all parties responsible for the violations, including developers, landowners, and government officials who may have overlooked or facilitated the irregularities. It will also recommend disciplinary action against erring officials and propose criminal proceedings against those found guilty of fraud or misrepresentation.
Authorities indicated that the investigation would include an audit of project approvals, land records, and transaction documentation over the past several years. The SIT will also examine the extent of financial loss to the state and the impact on the availability of affordable housing, particularly for EWS and LIG beneficiaries.
The formation of the SIT follows multiple complaints and legislative discussions highlighting concerns that housing meant for lower-income groups had been diverted or not delivered due to non-compliance with reservation norms. In several cases, allegations have emerged of developers manipulating documentation or exploiting regulatory gaps to avoid fulfilling mandatory obligations.
Officials further stated that the SIT has been directed to submit its findings within a defined timeframe, after which appropriate legal and administrative action will be initiated. This may include recovery of reserved land or housing units, penalties, and restrictions on future project approvals for non-compliant developers.
The development underscores increased regulatory scrutiny of affordable housing provisions within the state's real estate framework. The MHADA quota policy forms a key component of Maharashtra's housing strategy, aimed at ensuring inclusion of economically weaker sections within larger residential developments.
The outcome of the SIT probe is expected to influence enforcement practices and compliance mechanisms in housing projects, particularly in urban centres such as Nashik where large-scale residential development has been underway.
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