The Pune district administration has issued 32 orders for the withdrawal of government land due to violations of land lease conditions attached to plots allotted to class-II occupants and leaseholders, senior district administration officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Background of the Crackdown
This action is part of a broader crackdown on irregularities involving government-leased land across the district. It follows recommendations made by an inquiry committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Vikas Kharge, who conducted an investigation into a land parcel in Mundhwa. The Kharge panel had recommended the restoration of illegally transferred or misused government land within six months.
Survey Findings
Earlier, a district-wide survey of 2,161 government land parcels leased on a long-term basis in Pune district detected 356 violations. This prompted the administration to initiate hearings and recovery proceedings. Officials from the Pune collectorate stated that notices had already been issued to leaseholders and hearings were nearing completion.
“In some cases, land had to be taken back, while in others penalties will be levied for regularisation,” officials said.
Types of Violations
Violations detected during the survey include:
- Non-renewal of leases
- Unauthorised constructions
- Change of land use
- Sub-letting
- Occupation beyond sanctioned areas
- Failure to utilise land within stipulated timelines
- Deviations from approved plans
Officials noted that Pune city and Haveli taluka recorded the highest number of breaches, followed by Loni Kalbhor, Ambegaon and Khed.
Distribution of Withdrawal Orders
According to collectorate data, the highest number of land withdrawal orders — 13 — was issued in the Pune city division, followed by Junnar with four cases. Khed and Indapur recorded three cases each, while Pimpri Chinchwad, Mulshi, Ambegaon and Bhor reported two cases each. One case was recorded in Upper Tehsil Lonikand. No such orders were reported from Haveli, Maval, Purandar, Shirur, Baramati, Daund and Velhe tehsils.
Intensified Scrutiny
Officials said the action pertains to lands where tenure or lease conditions were allegedly breached, following which proceedings were initiated to vest the land back with the government. Revenue officials stated that scrutiny of land transactions and tenure violations has intensified across Pune district, particularly in rapidly urbanising areas witnessing a sharp rise in land prices. The administration has been examining cases involving alleged unauthorised transfers, misuse of land and breaches of conditions attached to occupancy or lease grants.
