Ex-deputy mayor pens letter to CM Fadnavis, red-flags Chinai college trustees attempt to tear down college for commercial exploitation of college land

X: @the_news_21

Mumbai: Former Mumbai deputy mayor and senior Congress leader Rajesh Sharma has in a letter penned to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani over alleged attempt by the trustees of Laxmi Education Society Trust managing the Chinai & MVLU College, Andheri East of trying to commercially exploit the land on which the college stands today.

The former Mumbai deputy mayor further alleged that one of the trustees was keen on commercially exploiting the land on which the college stands today. Sharma added that reputed builders such as Rustomjee and/or Sobha Developers have approached the BMC in an attempt to have the Chinai college structure declared as ‘dilapidated’ and subsequently torn down.

Sharma argued that if the strategy succeeds the plot of land on which the Chinai college stands today will be declared vacant, opening it up for further commercial exploitation and substantial profit.

He further contends and strongly refutes the contention that the Chinai & MVLU College building structure is in a dilapidated condition. Sharma adds that the contentions of the trustees are entirely baseless and driven by ulterior motives rather than genuine concerns for public safety or structural integrity.

In his letter, Sharma argues that the structure of Chinai college is structurally sound, having recently undergone fresh renovations and painting. He adds that the structure is fully up to date and complies with all the relevant safety standards and structural standards. He adds that the structure has been unjustly declared as dilapidated.

The former deputy mayor further argues that Chinai & MVLU College offers education to countless students at an affordable price. Pulling down the college will deprive the students of advancing their education and securing their futures. Besides this, Sharma adds that the college also supports the livelihoods of its staff, faculty, peons and workers, whose livelihoods will be affected.

Sharma further pointed out that the college trust has over the years received numerous subsidies and benefits from the government for the land operations. He has further demanded an independent expert examination of the contention that the college building is in dilapidated condition. He added that the prime focus of the expert examination should be to ensure that the Chinai college land remains dedicated to its intended purpose of education and is not diverted for commercial gain.