State will investigate Adarsh society land records, assures Narayan Rane

The state revenue minister Narayan Rane has broken his silence and has promised to inquire into the controversial Adarsh society at Colaba, which has become a major source of embarrassment for CM Ashok Chavan.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson and one of the founder members of the society, Kanhaiyalal Gidwani, said, “I am sure the state government will present its case before the Centre. I never denied that my two sons, who are independent, own flats in the building.” Gidwani, who is also the project’s promoter, argued, “We are ready to furnish all the documents to the Centre. All the conditions necessary for getting the clearance were met.”

Notwithstanding his clarifications, however, the central leadership has taken a decision to scrutinise the matter thoroughly before giving members a clean chit. 

The opposition parties have been quick to milk the issue. Leader of the opposition Eknath Khadse said, “There should be a thorough probe to ascertain who the original owner of the land is, and whether the state government sought the consent of the army, to whom the land was leased, before giving a nod for the housing complex.”

BJP senior leader Madhav Bhandari said, “It cannot be coincidence that all those who held significant portfolios in Mantralaya also are also the beneficiaries of the project.” The BJP has urged the government to take the structure in its possession.