The VC gave up to 50% discount on rent and allowed free parking.
More then Rs 5cr Revenue losses
The University of Mumbai has leased 5 acres of land for 8 months at a cost of Rs 75 lakh for feature film Shooting. Documents made available to RTI activist Anil Galgali revealed that the Vice-Chancellor had given a huge discount of up to 50 % on the rent following the recommendation of the committee in whose name the University of Mumbai is claiming to follow the legal procedure. Also full 8 months parking service has been made free.
Anil Galgali, an RTI activist, had asked for various information about the 5 acres of land allotted to M/s Siddhesh Enterprises for film Shooting at Mumbai University. The documents provided by Ashok Ghule, Deputy Secretary, University of Mumbai, spoke about doubtful financial transactions. Earlier, the University of Mumbai has taken Rs 50,000 per day from the government for the same space. The Vice-Chancellor was given the power to form the committee after the approval of the Management Council. A three-member committee was formed. Before the formation of the committee, it was proposed to charge daily rent of Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh or more.
The three-member committee fixed the rent at Rs 3 lakh per acre for the first month and Rs 4 lakh for the second month. 5000 per day parking fee was fixed for vanity van and generator van. The question was raised on 15 November 2021 by M/s Siddhesh Enterprises. The proposal was submitted by the Deputy Registrar regarding guidance to the University of Mumbai in 2 days i.e. on 17th November 2021. The vice-chancellor also ordered that no parking charges be levied and also changed Rs 1 lakh per acre for the first month and Rs 2 lakh from the second month. This has led to a loss of Rs 80 lakh in rent and Rs 12 lakh in parking fees. Had it been approved as per the recommendations of the three-member committee, it would have received Rs 1.55 crore more than the rent of Rs 80 lakh, which is currently Rs 75 lakh, and Rs 12 lakh for parking, which is currently zero. Also, if the original proposal had been approved, the rent would have been around Rs 5 crore.
According to Anil Galgali, more than Rs 5 crore has been lost in the illegal shooting case at Mumbai University. With this in mind, a committee of inquiry should be constituted to determine the responsibility. Anil Galgali has demanded the Governor, the Chief Minister and the Education Minister to take legal action against M/s Siddhesh Enterprises and the concerned officials of Mumbai University for causing financial loss to the University of Mumbai. What was the point of the three-member committee when it wanted to harm the University of Mumbai by reducing fares? This is the question of Anil Galgali.
