Adarsh scam: Chavan puts the onus on 'Deshmukh'

MUMBAI: Ashok Chavan, who was the Revenue Minister from 1999-2003 when land was allotted to the Adarsh Housing Society, today said that the plot was sanctioned by then Chief Minister and he had no role to play in it.

Without naming Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chavan, who stepped down as Chief Minister last year following controversy over Adarsh, told the Commission probing alleged irregularities into the scam that for allotment of plot for value exceeding Rs 25 lakh and plots situated in Pune, Mumbai and suburbs, the decision for allotment is of the Chief Minister.

Deshmukh, who filed an affidavit before Adarsh Commission on June 17, had put the onus on the Revenue department and the Mumbai Collector saying that while allotting land to Adarsh Society he had acted on the proposal sent by them.

Chavan has been named among the 14 accused by CBI in its probe into the scam. He is accused of recommending 40 per cent allotment of flats in Adarsh Society, originally meant for Kargil war widows, to civilians. Chavan is also facing allegation that his relatives got flats in the society.

Countering the allegations, Chavan said, "There was no question of my suggestion that civilian members be included in the Society and any suggestion that this was discussed with me or that I had suggested or directed or decided on the same is false and denied."

"In the meeting I have asked the department only to look into the issue relating to the allotment of the land and call for the required information in the respect thereof. No decision was taken at the meeting".