Fate of Adarsh Society to be decided by Fri
The fate of Mumbai's scam-tainted Adarsh Society, which is facing a threat of demolition for allegedly violating green norms, is expected to be decided by the Environment Min by this week-end.
"The Ministry is likely to announce its final decision on Adarsh by Friday," said an official source in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has instructed officials in his ministry to complete all the work related to the issue by Friday so that a decision could be announced by that day, the source said.
The Environment Ministry had issued a show-cause notice to the society on 12th November 2010, asking why the 31-storey building should not be demolished for "violating" environmental norms.
The Ministry on Monday received a written reply, in which the society demanded an immediate end to proceedings against it, insisting that it had got all the required clearances.
The Society has also slammed the "undue haste" shown in the initiation of punitive proceedings against it and "converting" their "meritorious case" into a "trial" by media.
The society has got caught in a controversy after it was detected that several flats meant for the kin of Kargil war victims were given to others, including politicians and top military officials and bureaucrats.
Maha recommends suspension of Information Comm in Adarsh scam
The Maharashtra government has decided to recommend to the Governor the suspension of state Information Commissioner Ramanand Tiwari for his alleged role in the Adarsh Housing Society scam.
Tiwari should not attend office till the inquiry into the scam concludes, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan told reporters after a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by him.
"For Tiwari to continue in office is not in the interest of the state. We have submitted enough grounds to take action against Tiwari and the Governor will send the recommendation to the Supreme Court which will hold an inquiry and decide whether to suspend him or terminate his services," Chavan said.
"IAS officers are protected by law but Tiwari and Lalla were appointed for political reasons. So, there is a specific procedure to take action against them," he said.
Tiwari was under pressure from the government to quit as Information Commissioner, but he refused and instead sent across a leave application to Governor K Sankaranarayanan, who rejected it.
Lalla, another retired IAS officer, had resigned as member of the State Human Rights Commission on 3rd January after the names of his kin figured as beneficiaries in the Adarsh Society meant for war heroes and defence personnel.
Lalla was posted in the Chief Minister's office when the scam-hit Society's files were being processed.
Tiwari, headed the state's Urban Development Department when some crucial clearances, including raise in Floor Space Index was granted to the Adarsh Society. His son too owns a flat in the 31-storey building in upmarket Colaba.
Chavan said action against Tiwari has been initiated under Section 17 of the RTI Act, which states that "Governor may by order remove from office the State Information Commissioner if a state information commissioner has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his function as the State Information Commissioner".
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar read out the text of the decision which said that the Cabinet had resolved to recommend the suspension of Tiwari.
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