Maharashtra govt rejects land lease renewal for Jeejeebhoy Trust in Mumbai

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has rejected the proposal for renewal of the government land lease held by Jeejeebhoy Trust a prominent charitable organisation at Mazgaon in Mumbai officials said reported news agency PTISome business entities were attempting to occupy government land under the pretext of the trust and such attempts should be stopped MLC Sachin Ahir of the Opposition Shiv Sena UBT has claimed reported PTIBawankule on Wednesday directed that the amount deposited by the trust or its developer in an irregular manner be refunded the officials saidA meeting on the issue was held on Wednesday at the ministers office Ahir NCP MLC Amol Mitkari Mumbai City Collector Aanchal Goyal and other officials attended it through video conferencing reported PTIAccording to officials the Jeejeebhoy Trust held government leasehold rights over two plots in Mazgaon measuring 72576 sq m and 915410 sq m The trust had delayed payment of the renewal amount Subsequently the amount was inadvertently paid into government accounts by a private company Ekya Realty Pvt Ltd reported PTIAs per a government resolution issued on September 24 2025 the revenue department had allowed refund of the amount and permitted lease renewal and the refund process was underway reported PTIAhir urged the government to immediately take possession of the said properties auction them and later decide on development plansHe claimed that some business entities were attempting to occupy government land under the pretext of the trust and such attempts should be stopped reported PTIBawankule said the lease renewal should not be granted and the deposited amount must be refunded immediately If the trust submits a fresh application the government will review it and take a decision accordingly he addedMaharashtra govt announces aid for fishermen hit by heavy rainsMeanwhile the Maharashtra government on Wednesday issued an order to provide financial assistance and concessions to fishermen whose livelihoods were affected by excessive rainfall and floods between June and September this year reported PTIA special relief package has been approved for those whose boats fishing nets or fish stock were damaged due to heavy rains and flooding according to a resolution GR issued by the state fisheries departmentUnder the package affected fishermen will receive compensation of Rs 6000 for partially damaged boats and Rs 15000 for completely destroyed ones For the fully and partially damaged fishing nets they will get Rs 4000 and Rs 3000 respectively reported PTIFarmers will receive Rs 10000 per hectare for loss of fish seed and Rs 60 per kilogram for loss of fish stock up to 50 per cent of expected productionThe government has also directed district officials to conduct onground inspections and submit proposals through the assistant commissioner of fisheries for approval The relief amount will be directly credited to beneficiaries bank accounts via the Direct Benefit Transfer DBT systemThe GR said the districtlevel committees must verify damage reports with the participation of local authorities including talathis revenue officials sarpanches and representatives of fisheries cooperative societiesThe fisheries commissioner has been tasked with reviewing the disbursement process and submitting regular reports to the governmentWith inputs from PTI