Is Mantralaya a slum? Oppn asks Chavan

The Opposition stalled proceedings in the state Assembly twice on Tuesday because they wanted to know if the state had asked the Centre for concessions awarded for redeveloping slums to revamp Mantralaya.

The Opposition stalled proceedings in the state Assembly twice on Tuesday because they wanted to know if the state had asked the Centre for concessions awarded for redeveloping slums to revamp Mantralaya.

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Leader of the Opposition Eknath Khadse alleged that the public works department had sent a proposal to the Union Environment ministry that it wants to modernise and upgrade Mantralaya, seat of power, under the slum rehabilitation scheme so that it can get more floor space index.

Khadse said he had received this information under the Right to Information Act and alleged that Chief Minister, Ashok Chavan, had misled the House during his reply on the budgetary allocation for the Urban Development Department on Monday.

Chavan had, on Monday, refuted this saying no decision had been taken on the Mantralaya redevelopment. “It is wrong to say that the Mantralaya is a slum. We have not said this to the Centre,’’ Chavan had said on Monday, calling the Opposition’s allegations “laughable’’.

Khadse demanded an apology from Chavan and said he had papers to prove the allegation. He also demanded action against officials, who prepared the redevelopment proposal classifying Mantralaya as a slum.

The House had to be adjourned twice after some legislators from the Opposition gathered in the well of the House, shouting slogans. Public Works Minister, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Chavan were absent from the House during this.

The issue was resolved after Water Resources Minister, Ajit Pawar, assured the House that the state would submit a written statement on Mantralaya’s redevelopment on Wednesday.