On November 25, 2025, thousands of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supporters will march from their Mumbai headquarters to the residence of Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in Matoshri, Thane — not to protest taxes or traffic, but over what they call the biggest housing betrayal in a generation. At the heart of the demonstration: allegations that CIDCO, the state’s urban development arm, has been selling land meant for the poor to elite builders at five times the legal price.
The Numbers Don’t Add Up
According to MNS documents obtained by journalists, social housing plots — meant for families earning under ₹3 lakh annually — were supposed to be sold at ₹500,000 to ₹700,000. Instead, records show they were transferred to private developers for ₹2.5 million to ₹3.5 million. That’s a markup of 400–500%. And it’s not a one-off. Over 500 such plots across Navi Mumbai, Kharghar, and Belapur have been flagged since 2021. The total financial loss to the public exchequer? Likely over ₹1,500 crore. For context, that’s enough to build 15,000 affordable homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Among the beneficiaries? Names that dominate Mumbai’s luxury skyline: Lodha Group, Oberoi Realty, and Adani Realty. MNS claims these firms, many of them members of the Builders’ Association of India (BAI), received preferential treatment through backdoor approvals. One internal CIDCO file, dated March 2022, shows a plot in Sector 14, Navi Mumbai, reassigned from a low-income beneficiary to a BAI-linked firm within 11 days — no public notice, no tender, no transparency.
"They’re Stealing Homes From the Poor"
"CIDCO officials and some ministers of the Maharashtra government are colluding to sell plots allocated under social housing schemes to builders at high prices, thereby depriving poor people of their right to housing," said Raj Thackeray during a press briefing on November 22, 2025. "We will march to Shinde Sahab’s residence to demand justice against this scam."
The emotional weight of this protest isn’t lost on residents. In Kharghar, a 62-year-old widow, Lata Desai, told reporters she waited seven years for a CIDCO plot. She was finally selected in 2023 — only to learn her name had been quietly erased from the list. "They told me the plot was cancelled due to ‘administrative error.’ But my neighbor got a letter saying it was sold to a builder. I cried for three days."
Shinde’s Role and the Silence
As Deputy Chief Minister with direct oversight of urban development, Eknath Shinde is the political target. While he hasn’t publicly responded to the allegations, his ministry approved CIDCO’s 2023–24 budget — which included ₹2,800 crore for land acquisition and sales. Critics point out that CIDCO’s revenue from land sales jumped 78% in that period, while the number of new social housing units dropped by 41%.
Even the state’s own watchdog, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), flagged similar irregularities in 2023, uncovering 287 fraudulent allocations across Mumbai suburbs. That audit was buried. Now, MNS says it has video evidence, stamped documents, and whistleblower testimonies — all ready for the courts.
A Pattern of Protest
This isn’t MNS’s first shot at CIDCO. In March 2025, they blocked roads in Navi Mumbai over illegal construction. In August, they rallied over water shortages in Kharghar. But this time, it’s personal. The march route — from MNS HQ in Dadar to Shinde’s Thane residence — is 32 kilometers. Police have already deployed 200 personnel. MNS has warned: if no SIT is formed within 72 hours of the march, they’ll launch an indefinite sit-in outside his gate.
"We’re not asking for special treatment," said MNS spokesperson Arjun Pawar. "We’re asking for the law to be followed. If these plots were sold legally, why hide them? Why not auction them openly? Why do the same 17 companies keep winning?"
Why This Matters Beyond Mumbai
With Mumbai’s average property prices up 32.7% since 2022, according to NAREDCO, the housing crisis is no longer just about affordability — it’s about legitimacy. If the state’s own development agency is gaming the system meant for the poorest, what hope is left for the middle class?
The ripple effect could be seismic. Homebuyers who paid lakhs for "affordable" flats now fear they’re living in illegally acquired land. Banks that financed these projects could face regulatory scrutiny. And if the Supreme Court steps in — as it did in the 2018 DDA land scam — the fallout could reach ministers, bureaucrats, and corporate CEOs alike.
What Happens Next?
As the march approaches, pressure is mounting on the state government. The opposition Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have quietly demanded an SIT. The Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has reportedly begun preliminary inquiries. But without public pressure, these probes often fizzle.
Meanwhile, CIDCO remains silent. Their website still lists 2025 social housing applications as "open" — even though MNS says most slots have been quietly reassigned. The agency hasn’t responded to repeated requests for comment.
One thing is clear: in a city where a single square foot costs more than a month’s salary for most, the battle for housing isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about who gets to belong.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did CIDCO allegedly sell social plots at inflated prices?
According to MNS, CIDCO officials bypassed public auctions and direct beneficiary allocations by reclassifying social plots as "commercial" or "mixed-use," then transferring them to private builders through non-transparent deals. Documentation shows over 500 plots changed hands between 2021 and 2025 without proper documentation, often within days of being allocated to low-income families.
Who is Eknath Shinde and why is he the target?
Eknath Shinde is Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and holds the Urban Development portfolio, giving him direct authority over CIDCO’s operations. While he hasn’t been personally accused of corruption, MNS argues that as the minister responsible, he bears accountability for systemic failures under his watch — especially since CIDCO’s revenue surged while social housing output collapsed.
What’s the difference between CIDCO and MHADA?
CIDCO develops planned townships like Navi Mumbai under the state government, while MHADA focuses on housing projects within existing urban areas like Mumbai and Pune. Both handle social housing, but CIDCO controls larger tracts of land. MHADA previously uncovered 287 fraudulent allocations in 2023 — a pattern MNS says CIDCO has now replicated on a far larger scale.
Why are Lodha, Oberoi, and Adani named in this scandal?
MNS claims these three firms, all members of the Builders’ Association of India, received preferential access to CIDCO plots through political connections. Internal emails and land registry changes show they acquired plots in prime Navi Mumbai zones — areas that later became luxury developments — at prices far below market value, suggesting collusion rather than fair competition.
What happens if the government ignores the protest?
MNS has threatened an indefinite sit-in outside Shinde’s residence if no SIT is formed within 72 hours. If that happens, legal experts predict a surge in PILs (Public Interest Litigations) filed in the Bombay High Court, potentially triggering a Supreme Court intervention — similar to what occurred after the 2018 DDA land scam in Delhi.
Is this the first time social housing has been misused in Maharashtra?
No. In 2019, a CAG report exposed 1,200 illegal transfers of MHADA plots in Thane and Pune. In 2021, a state audit found 89 CIDCO plots in Panvel were sold to builders without public bidding. But this is the largest, most systematic case yet — involving hundreds of plots, multiple builders, and alleged ministerial complicity over a five-year period.
Write a comment