Renewal of lease: Bombay HC seeks Maharashtra govt's reply

MUMBAI: Bombay high court has directed the Maharashtra government to reply to a public interest litigation by former Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi challenging the "arbitrary'' and "concessional'' renewal of leases on government land.

On November 22, 2013 a division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice MS Sankecha heard Gandhi's petition challenging the December 12, 2012 government resolution regarding renewal, extension and disposal of government lands given on lease.

His advocate Mihir Desai argued that the "automatic'' renewal of lease on government lands to the same people causes huge loss to the state exchequer.

He said in Mumbai out of 1282 leases given in city, 517 have expired and in the suburbs out of 295 leases some 147 have expired.

"There are no steps initiated to take back the lands or to invite applications to lease them at market rates,'' Desai said.

To a query by the judges, Desai replied that a large number of lessees have made constructions on the land.

The judges directed the government to file a reply and adjourned the hearing for four weeks.