Maharashtra to set up cell to curb graft in building approvals

Maharashtra Government today announced it would set up a special cell to curb corruption in granting of approval for buildings.

Maharashtra Government on Thursday announced it would set up a special cell to curb corruption in granting of approval for buildings.

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The move comes after corruption complaints against a government-appointed panel set up to approve high rise buildings in the metropolis.

"We would set up a cell under the Urban Development Department (UDD) considering corruption complaints against the committee formed to approve the high rise buildings in the city," Home Minister RR Patil informed the Legislative Council.

Vinod Tawade (BJP) raised the issue and mentioned a case in which one of the committee members, Shailesh Mahimtura, was arrested by Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 30 lakh in May to approve a building proposal. He demanded a high-level inquiry in the case.

Diwakar Raote (Shiv Sena) sought to know if the Government would review the permissions given to the buildings by Mahimtura, a structural consultant, and cancel the sanctions in last five years.

In reply, Patil said the UDD would be directed to review the cases approved by Mahimtura.