What began as allegations of government officials misusing subsidised residential plots near the Statue of Unity has ended in one of the most significant crackdowns by the Gujarat administration against its own officers. On Sunday, the Narmada district administration demolished five illegal bungalows constructed on government-allotted land at Garudeshwar after an investigation found that the buildings violated the conditions under which the plots were allotted and appeared to have been developed for commercial homestay operations instead of residential use.
The action follows months of investigation that was triggered by complaints and RTI applications filed earlier this year, which raised questions over the use of concessional plots allotted to senior government officials in 2019. Located barely a kilometre from the Statue of Unity and adjacent to the upcoming Tribal Museum, the land has become one of the most sought-after locations in the district due to the rapid growth of tourism around the world’s tallest statue.
According to officials, the plots were allotted on February 2, 2019, under the signature of the then Narmada District Collector R. S. Ninama. Thirteen senior officials from various departments had approached the district administration seeking residential plots at relief rates. Each was allotted a 135-square-metre plot at heavily subsidised prices ranging between Rs 37,210 and Rs 50,000 after applying a Revenue Department circular that reduced the assessed market value of Rs 99,255 by 50 to 75 per cent.
The allotment, however, came with strict conditions. The land was to be used only for constructing a residence, and construction had to be completed within two years. Failure to comply with these conditions would result in the plots being forfeited to the government.
Officials said that while five allottees failed to complete construction within the stipulated period, leading to the plots reverting to the government, the remaining plots also came under scrutiny after complaints alleged that the land was not being used as intended.
The issue first came to the administration’s notice when the then Mamlatdar, P. K. Joshi, lodged a formal complaint alleging violations of government rules and town planning norms. RTI applications seeking records related to the allotments reportedly brought out documentary evidence, prompting then Narmada Collector Sanjay Modi to order a detailed inquiry.
During the investigation, officials allegedly found that the constructions bore little resemblance to ordinary government residences. Instead, they discovered multi-storeyed bungalows with six to twelve bedrooms. Six of the structures had already been completed, while another was under construction.
According to senior officials, the buildings displayed clear characteristics of commercial homestay properties, a business that has flourished around the Statue of Unity because of the increasing number of tourists visiting the area.
“None of these structures appeared to be residential houses meant for government employees as required under the allotment. Most lacked the layout of a family home, had multiple bedrooms and bathrooms and, in several cases, did not even have kitchens. Prima facie, they appeared to have been designed as rooms for hire under homestay operations,” an official said.
Based on the findings submitted by Collector Sanjay Modi, the matter was referred to the Chief Minister’s Office, which subsequently directed that action be taken against the illegal constructions, officials said.
Acting on those directions, the Narmada district administration carried out the demolition drive on Sunday under heavy police deployment. Officials said security arrangements were made to prevent any untoward incident during the operation.
The five officials whose structures were demolished cooperated peacefully throughout the drive, officials added.
Two officers—Director of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) L. S. Dindor and District Primary Education Officer B. D. Baria—have challenged the administration’s decision before a court. Since their petitions are pending, their bungalows were not demolished on Sunday.
Officials also said that the plots allotted to the remaining six beneficiaries had already been taken back by the government earlier.
The original beneficiaries included officers from several departments. At least five were posted in revenue-related assignments at the time of allotment, while others belonged to the education, election, statistics and town planning departments.
Narmada Collector Ganga Singh and District Development Officer Ravindrasinh Vala were unavailable for comment.
Reacting to the action, Bharuch MP Mansukh Vasava said the demolition was justified if government officials had violated the law but stressed that enforcement should be uniform.
“If the houses of government officials were built in violation of rules, action against them is justified and the law must take its course. However, the same standards should apply to everyone. Questions are also being raised over large-scale land filling allegedly carried out for a proposed five-star hotel project in the area, and that too should be investigated. There are allegations that some constructions have come up without the required permissions and even on the basis of questionable approvals. Action should not be selective. Whether it involves officials, businessmen or ordinary citizens, justice and enforcement must be equal for all,” Vasava said.
The demolition of the five bungalows marks a rare instance of the Gujarat administration taking action against senior government officials over the alleged misuse of subsidised government land in one of the state’s most valuable tourism zones.
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