Adarsh Society was aware of non-compliance of conditions: Former Congress MLC

Scam-tainted Adarsh Housing Society was aware that it had not complied with several conditions imposed by Maharashtra government, while granting allotment of the land in South Mumbai, former Congress MLC and one of the chief promoters of the society, Kanhaiyalal Gidwani told a judicial panel.

"The Letter of Allotment granted on July 9, 2004 by the government imposed seven conditions to be complied with. However, some of the conditions were not met with at the time of allotment. One of the conditions was that possession of land was to be given only after eligibility of at least 71 members were examined," Gidwani told a two-member inquiry commission.

On the date of the allotment, the society was aware of the fact that the plot allotted to the society would not be sufficient to accommodate 71 members; he said adding that the plot could accommodate only 50 members.

"Despite knowing so, we took possession because we did not want to object allotment on this ground. The society did not write any letter to the government asking it to take back the possession of the plot," Gidwani said while deposing before the commission.

He added that after taking possession, the society sought for grant of additional Floor Space Index (FSI) of the adjoining BEST land and thus increase the number of floors of the building to accommodate all the members.