Land not meant for Kargil heroes: Ex-revenue secy

The land allotted to the controversial Adarsh Co-operative Housing Society wasn't originally meant only for defence personnel - or Kargil war heroes in particular - the Adarsh inquiry commission was told by a former revenue secretary on Saturday.

The land allotted to the controversial Adarsh Co-operative Housing Society wasn't originally meant only for defence personnel - or Kargil war heroes in particular - the Adarsh inquiry commission was told by a former revenue secretary on Saturday.

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"No. I do not agree," said erstwhile principal secretary of revenue RC Joshi, when asked if the land was originally meant for Kargil heroes, as was highlighted through letters by Adarsh promoter Kanhaiyalal Gidwani. "The land was allotted to Adarsh society comprising members from the defence forces and non-defence forces and civilians," Joshi added.

In another development, deposing before the commission, DK Shankaran, former chief secretary, said: "Adarsh society had not made any application for allotment of land to the chairman, District Sellers, Soldiers and Airman Board as mandated under the Maharashtra Land Revenue (Disposal of Government Lands) Rules." This was despite the fact that the society, in its first application in 1999, stated that land was required for the welfare of the serving and retired defence personnel.

Shankaran was emphatic that at the time of consideration of the society's application, it was not a society of only servicemen and/or ex-servicemen.