Adarsh's reply to notice: Govt gives last extension

Accepting a request from Mumbai's controversial Adarsh Housing Society, Union Environment Ministry on Tuesday extended the last date for receiving its response on a show-cause notice till January and made it clear that it will be the last chance.

The society, accused of violating green laws in construction of the 31-storey building, had requested the ministry on Monday to postpone the hearing scheduled for December 29 citing the inordinate flight delays caused because of the "unprecedented weather conditions" and also due to non-availability of the counsels appearing on its behalf.

"As regards the request on postponment of hearing, the matter has been examined in the ministry for providing natural justice and it has been decided to accept your request and postpone the hearing for 04.01.2011 at 12.00 noon," the ministry said in its order.

This will be the final hearing on the notice served by the ministry to the society asking why its building at Colaba should not be demolished for allegedly violating green laws.

"This is the last and final opportunity given to you for hearing and no further request shall be entertained for any further postponment or extension of time and the ministry shall issue the final orders on the show-cause notice based on the facts and the documents available on record," the ministry said.

The ministry noted that the society were already given extension for three times either to submit the reply on their request or for hearing in the matter.

In its notice addressed to society's advocate Satish L Maneshinde, the ministry also said the representatives of the society have inspected the documets on December 20 and the relevant copies were also made available to them.

The ministry had in its order on December 15 asked the society to file its reply by December 24 and made it clear that no further extension of time for filing the reply would be given.

But the society failed to file its reply on time.