Nagpur: Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Friday announced that farmers who block farm access roads will be disqualified from govt welfare schemes, as part of a broader push to curb encroachments and irregularities in land administration.Speaking to the media here, the guardian minister said those encroaching on farm and access roads or damaging them will have their Aadhaar-linked identification and farmer IDs blocked for five years. The move follows directions from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis under the Mukhyamantri Baliraja Farm Road Scheme aimed at improving rural connectivity. Officials said the policy seeks to ensure uninterrupted access to agricultural land, a critical issue in several districts. Under the new framework, tehsildars will issue notice over encroachments on roads mapped in village records or located on govt land, giving violators seven days to remove the obstruction. Failure to comply will lead to forcible removal by authorities.Addressing concerns over infrastructure projects, Bawankule said that where highways or railway projects disrupt traditional farm access routes, the govt will provide alternative service roads under right-of-way provisions. “Farmers’ right of access to their land will be protected,” he said.Responding to allegations raised by Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar against NCP (Ajit Pawar) ministers, Bawankule urged restraint and said the inquiry was conducted fairly. Decisions regarding individuals such as NCP (Ajit Pawar) minister Narhari Zirwal or political figures would be taken by their respective parties, he said.The welcomed the Centre’s decision to reduce excise duty on fuel, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for steps aimed at easing inflationary pressure on poorer sections. On administrative reforms, Bawankule said stamp duty exemption has been approved for land donations, facilitating easier registration of temple properties in their official names.‘No clean chit in Mundhwa land case’On the high-profile Mundhwa land case in Pune, Bawankule said no clean chit has been given to anyone. A committee led by a principal secretary-level officer is probing the matter, with some officials already suspended. The govt has cancelled fraudulent entries, with cases filed against those involved. Properties worth about Rs3,000 crore have been recovered, he said, adding that action would be taken “irrespective of status.“The minister also outlined action in a separate land record irregularities case in Pune, where misuse of Section 155, meant for minor corrections, allegedly led to transfer of land ownership. Around 400 cases have been identified so far, with scrutiny of nearly 4,000 records underway. Several officials have been sent on compulsory leave, and further action is expected after a report from the law and judiciary department. He described the episode as “extremely serious,” adding that thousands of such cases may have occurred and that a special team has been constituted to restore land to affected persons.The minister also said reports of similar irregularities in the Konkan region are under investigation, and further action is likely in the coming weeks.
