Maharashtra Government Leases 1,200 Acres to Vishwaraj Renewables

The Maharashtra government has officially leased 1,200 acres of fertile land located in Haregaon village, Ahilyanagar, to Vishwaraj Renewables Private Limited. This Mumbai-based firm is owned by Sarang Lakhani, who is the son-in-law of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule. The lease agreement, which spans 49 years, was formalized on October 5, 2023, and has drawn attention due to the political connections of the involved parties, particularly Lakhani's family ties to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

This recent land allotment follows closely on the heels of another government decision made just two weeks prior, which involved leasing 1,500 acres to a different private entity, Nibe Group. Additionally, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been allocated 1,500 acres for defense-related projects. The rapid succession of these land leases has raised eyebrows among social activists and the public alike.

Social activist Anjali Damania has voiced her concerns regarding the lack of a tender process for such a substantial land deal. She questioned why competitive bidding was not pursued, which could have potentially yielded a higher lease amount for the government. Damania also highlighted a previous government initiative from June to develop a green energy park on the same land, which was abruptly changed to a direct allotment to Vishwaraj Renewables just three months later. She criticized the government for not providing a clear rationale for this policy shift and for the lengthy lease terms that allow for extensions.

The lease has also reignited discussions about the historical land disputes in Haregaon, where original farmers have long sought the return of land that was taken during British rule. The Maharashtra government had previously announced plans to return land to these farmers, yet portions of it are now being leased for various projects, raising questions about the fairness of the process. The recent allotments have sparked debate over the rights of original landowners versus the interests of private companies.

In response to the controversy, Supriya Sule stated that her son-in-law's business dealings are a personal matter and not something she can comment on. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns raised by activists and the implications for the original farmers of the land.