‘Cop-out by MMRDA let bldg come up’

Soon after irregularities in Adarsh CHS surfaced in 2010 leading to the resignation of the then chief minister Ashok Chavan,the MMRDA withdrew the occupation certificate (OC) issued to the building. RTI queries by Galgali reveal that MMRDA collected money from the society under various heads such as development charges,staircase and lift premium and scrutiny fees,that were charged as per norms before the Adarsh project started.

Replies also reveal that the state government,under memorandum dated January 18,2003 and August 5,2005 gave a plot of land at Backbay Reclamation Block 6 — under the possession of Army — admeasuring 3,758.72 sq m to Adarsh Society for Rs 10.19 crore and another plot under use by BEST admeasuring 2,669.68 sq m for Rs 6.14 crore. The Adarsh Society paid Rs 16.33 crore for commencement certificate from MMRDA to start construction.

“Three Metropolitan Commissioners Dr Suresh Joshi,Dr T Chandrashekhar & Ratnakar Gaikwad issued the various permissions from time to time and the final OC was issued on 16 September,2010 by Ratankar Gaikwad. The said amount that MMRDA has levied is for the use of FSI,lift,lobby and other amenities. Despite this,the role of MMRDA in this entire controversy has not been probed,” Galgali said.

The development charge levied totals Rs 15.13 lakh whereas Rs 7.22 lakh was levied as staircase,lift,lobby and passage premium. Scrutiny fees of Rs.1.24 lakh were charged while the balcony enclosure fees was Rs 33.42 lakh. A penalty amount of Rs 39.74 lakh was charged. The amount totals up to Rs 8.11 crore,the replies state.

mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com