State Govt set to clear stalled Sahara project

When it was pointed out that his government was applying different yardsticks to illegal construction of SIHL and slums in the metropolis, particularly when its comes to demolition of unauthorised structures, Joshi denied the allegation saying, slums prior to January 1, 1995, enjoy full protection as they have been included in the free housing plan.

Replying a volley of questions on the controversial project, Joshi defended SIHL and said that until the report submitted by Principal Secretary (Revenue) Ajit Warty is scrutinised the stay on all the developmental works ordered by his government on May 13 will continue. In fact Joshi had stayed the construction work following threat by Anna Hazare that he would launch a strike if work continued.

Following criticism in both the Houses of the State legislature, the State government appointed Warty to probe into the irregularities. In his report, Warty had confirmed that construction admeasuring more than 11,000 sq mtrs was illegal and that the land possessed by some of the persons was more than prescribed under the Agriculture Land (Ceiling on Holding) Act.