Nitin Gadkari NGO land as per rules: Ajit Pawar

Responding to allegations that he alloted land acquired for a dam to a firm owned by BJP chief Nitin Gadkari, former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar Sunday said the land was allotted to Gadkari's NGO Purti Sinchan Kalyankari Sanstha in keeping with the rules and the existing policy of the government.

"There was a good proposal from his NGO, so I allotted the land. The activists are asking why did Ajit Pawar take the decision in four days? Shall I take four months to take a decision or four years? If a decision is taken quickly, people question it. If it is delayed, that is also under scanner. What should one do?" he told a convocation of the NCP leaders.

IAC's Arvind Kejriwal had claimed that land acquired for a dam was given to the NGO, overruling farmers from Khursapar village in Vidarbha. In 2005, Purti Sinchan Kalyankari Sanstha had applied for a piece of land in connection with welfare activities of farmers. Pawar was said to be instrumental in allotting the land on lease

"In democracy, it is important for civilians to be alert and see if there is any irregularity and corruption in deals. But some people are raising unnecessary doubts in the minds of people," said Pawar.

He also defended land allotment to Lavasa, arguing that the project, and the dam, had brought considerable development to the region.

He also launched a veiled attack on Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan for his 'slow decisions'. "Some people waste a lot of time taking care of their image. They don't arrive at any decision quickly. Many a times this results into loss for the state and the people... A few days ago I was criticised by this person. I want to tell him why doesn't he contest elections and get elected first before uttering a word against me," said Pawar.

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