New Delhi/ Mumbai: Army on Wednesday said it is
carrying out an inquiry into Mumbai`s Adarsh Co-operative
Housing Society row in which a high-rise building has been
constructed in alleged violation of rules with beneficiaries
being former services chiefs, politicians and bureaucrats.
"As far as we are concerned, the inquiry is on and I
would not like to comment beyond this as it may hamper the
inquiry," Army chief General V K Singh told reporters on the
sidelines of a function here.
Former Army chiefs Generals N C Vij and Deepak Kapoor,
ex-Navy chief Admiral Madhavendra Singh, former Army Vice
Chief Lt Gen Shantanu Chowdhary, former Union Minister and
Shiv Sena MP Suresh Prabhu are among those who have been
alloted flats in the 31-storey building in upscale Colaba
area.
Asked if the inquiry was being conducted by the CBI,
Singh said, "If you want to know about the CBI inquiry, ask
the (defence) ministry. We are trying to find out at our own
level that if there is anything wrong in this whole issue."
Army chief`s statement comes after Defence Minister A
K Antony said the government was "seriously examining" the
matter.
The Navy has objected to Maharashtra government
according permission for Occupation Certificate citing serious
security concerns.
The 100-metre tall building next to a planned helipad
and military installations has violated the CRZ limit of a
height of 30 metres, the Navy had said.
In Mumbai, State environment minister Suresh Shetty
said Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had in a to the
Maharashtra Government sought details of clearances for the
building.
"Accordingly, the state Environment secretary has written
to the Urban Development Department seeking details of
clearances given by the Municipal Corporation of Greater
Mumbai (MCGM)," Shetty said.
The society, built on a 6,490 sq mt plot in the Coastal
Regulatory Zone (CRZ) II, was also initially promoted as
housing for war veterans and widows.
Ramesh seeks details of Adarsh Society
Union Environment Minister Jairam
Ramesh has asked the Maharashtra Government for details of the
controversial Adarsh Co-operative Housing Society, which has
been constructed in alleged violation of various rules.
Ramesh in his letter has sought details of clearances
for the building which houses top state bureaucrats and
politicians along with Army and naval commanders, state
environment minister Suresh Shetty said
"Accordingly, the state Environment secretary has
written to the Urban Development Department seeking details of
clearances given by the Municipal Corporation of Greater
Mumbai (MCGM)," Shetty said.
The letter was received yesterday asking to check
clearance to the building and also its Environment Impact
assessment since it falls under CRZ-II, Environment Secretary
Valsa Nair Singh said.
The Union Ministry has asked to submit the report till
Monday, however, it will take longer time to prepare it.
Meanwhile, the Department would try to submit an
interim report, she said.
The 31-storey building, built on a 6,490 sq mt plot in
the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) II, was also initially
promoted as housing for war veterans and widows.
CRZ II norms put several restrictions on vertical
development.
PTI
