Adarsh scam: Former CM Deshmukh in the dock again

Pinning the blame on Vilasrao Deshmukh, suspended state information commissioner and Adarsh Housing Society scam accused Ramanand Tiwari has told the judicial panel probing the case that it was the former Maharashtra chief minister  who had approved all proposals pertaining to the high-rise in south Mumbai.

Tiwari, in an affidavit filed before the two-member inquiry commission, has said that all proposals pertaining to the Adarsh Society "followed the same route" as others and was sent to the minister of the concerned departments.

The commission was set up by the Maharashtra government in January to probe into the irregularities of the society.

"Deshmukh, while being the chief minister, was also heading the Urban Development Department. The society's proposal seeking deletion of the land reserved for BEST and changing it to residential type was forwarded to Deshmukh," he said.

"Only after his approval, notification dated March 3, 2006 was issued deleting the BEST reservation," the affidavit states.

Tiwari, who was then principal secretary of UDD, further claimed that in September 2004, a reference from the state Revenue and Forest Department, which was then headed by Ashok Chavan, was received by the UDD mentioning Adarsh's request to use the Floor Space Index of the BEST land after its conversion to residential.

"The reference was also processed and sent to Deshmukh. Only after his approval, the reservation was deleted and the society was allowed to use the extra FSI," the affidavit states.

Refuting allegations of undue favours given by state government officials to the society, Tiwari said, "There was no vested interest to guide the decision and no rule was relaxed."

"The Adarsh file passed through me in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. At all these stages, the files were cleared in accordance with rules and procedure. No special favour was shown to get membership for my son," it stated.

Tiwari's son owns a flat in the society, which was originally meant for Kargil war widows and martyrs.

Deshmukh, who has been summoned by the commission to appear as a witness, is yet to file a affidavit clarifying his stand. .