Adarsh Scam-Defence Ministry to take ‘balanced view’
After the Environment Ministry Jairam Ramesh recommended the demolition of the Adarsh Housing Society building in Mumbai for violating coastal regulations, Defence Ministry today said it would take a “balanced view” on the issue before arriving at any decision.
He was responding to queries about the future of the building in view of the Environment Ministry’s recent recommendation. The CBI is also likely to give its recommendations as to whether the building constructed next to a sensitive naval base is a security threat and whether it should be demolished or given to the Defence Ministry for public use. On Sunday, the Environment Ministry recommended that the 31-storey building should be demolished within three months as the project in Mumbai’s upmarket Colaba was “unauthorized” and violated the spirit of coastal regulations.
The 31–story building in downtown Mumbai was intended for war veterans and widows but the apartments were bought at cut–rate prices by top politicians and military brass. Maharashtra state’s chief minister resigned late last year because of the scandal.
Adarsh Housing Society’s attorney Satish Maneshinde said Sunday that he would soon file an appeal challenging the demolition order.The environment ministry’s order said the building “violated the spirit of coastal regulations,” and Ramesh said it was immaterial whether the owners were aware they needed to seek clearance under the coastal zoning rules.
Source: tmcnet.com Economic Times
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