Shahid Balwa and Vinod Goenka both were accused in the 2G scam, and were later acquitted by a Delhi court. The Uddhav Thackeray led government on Monday announced a stirring committee for real estate. Both Balwa and Goenka are part of it.
By Varun Singh
Shahid Balwa and Vinod Goenka, are now part of the Uddhav Thackeray Government’s steering committee for Real Estate.
The committee was appointed on Monday post a meeting between developers body NAREDCO, CREDAI-MCHI, bureaucrats and even top ministers of the state government.
The committee includes Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad, Transport minister Anil Parab, Chief Secretary of the state, bureaucrats from Urban development, Revenue and other departments.
From the developers side, NAREDCO president Niranjan Hiranandani, CREDAI-MCHI president Nayan Shah, Shahid Balwa, Vinod Goenka and others are included.
According to reports, Shahid Balwa and Vinod Goenka were accused of quid pro quo in the 2G spectrum scam that took place in the tenure of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government between 2009 and 2014. A Delhi court acquitted both of them in the case in 2018.
A report also says that, Vinod Goenka is son of KM Goenka, a family friend of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, for more than 35 years.
The inclusion of Balwa and Goenka has caused a stir in the political circles of Maharashtra.
Rajesh Prajapati, a noted developer from Navi Mumbai who was present during the meeting with Uddhav Thackeray post which the steering committee was announced said, “We had a series of demand, including reduction of 50% stamp duty.”
Prajapati said that during the meeting at the state guest house, a steering committee for quick response to matters concerning the real estate sector was formed, with developers, bureaucrats and ministers.
