Ahmedabad AMC Withdraws ₹65 Crore Hiramani School Land Proposal After Controversy, Plot to Be Auctioned
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has withdrawn a proposal to allot its 2,608-square-metre plot near Hiramani School on SG Highway to Jansahayak Trust at half its market value, following objections over potential financial losses.
The civic body will now assess the land's market value through a valuation committee and put it up for public auction instead of directly allotting it to the trust.
The plot, located in the Chharodi-Oganaj area, is estimated to be worth more than ₹65 crore. The proposed change in its land use from parking to educational purposes had triggered controversy because the trust could have acquired it at 50% of its market value.
Proposal to Change Land Use Triggered Controversy
The 2,608-square-metre plot was acquired by the AMC through a land deduction process under social infrastructure provisions and designated for parking facilities.
The land has been used for parking for several years. However, Jansahayak Trust, associated with Hiramani School, approached the civic body seeking permission to change its designated use from parking to educational purposes.
Under the proposed arrangement, the land would have been allotted to the trust at 50% of its market value. Given its estimated valuation of more than ₹65 crore, the arrangement could have resulted in a substantial revenue loss for the corporation.
Questions were raised over the decision to offer the valuable civic land to a specific trust without following an open auction process.
Valuation Committee to Determine Auction Price
Following the controversy, the proposal was withdrawn by the Town Planning Committee chairman.
The AMC will now constitute a valuation committee to determine the appropriate market price of the plot. Once the valuation is completed, the land will be disposed of through a public auction.
Bhagyesh Patel, Chairman of the AMC Town Planning Committee, confirmed that the proposal concerning the 2,608-square-metre plot in Chharodi-Oganaj had been withdrawn.
He said the proposal had sought to change the land use from parking to educational purposes and allot it to Jansahayak Trust – Hiramani School. An appropriate decision will be taken in the coming days.
Trust Currently Pays ₹2.44 Lakh Annual Rent
The plot is currently leased by Jansahayak Trust from the AMC at an annual rent of ₹2.44 lakh.
The proposed arrangement would have allowed the trust to acquire the land for educational purposes at half its market value. However, with the proposal withdrawn, the civic body has opted for valuation followed by a public auction.
The auction process will determine the final price and provide an opportunity for interested parties to bid for the valuable civic property.
