‘Ministry didn’t respond to letter by its own official’

The ministry of defence ignored a letter written by one of its own officials regarding the Adarsh Society, RC Joshi, then principal secretary of the revenue department, said on Friday.

The ministry of defence ignored a letter written by one of its own officials regarding the Adarsh Society, RC Joshi, then principal secretary of the revenue department, said on Friday.

HT Image

“Saurav Ray, defence estate officer (DEO), had sent a letter to the collector expressing security concerns on the high-rise being constructed close to the defence installation,” Joshi said while deposing before the two-member inquiry committee.

“We did not receive any reply from any of the authorities to whom Shri Saurav Ray had forwarded his letter,” said Joshi.

“There was no response on the issues raised with regard to the land required for construction of accommodation for defence employees, the title, as well as the possession and the security concerns raised by Ray,” he added. Joshi said there was no communication from the ministry of defence.

Former chief secretary DK Shankaran also deposed before the committee later in the day.

Earlier this week, Ramakant Asmar, joint secretary of the revenue department, had pointed fingers on the then collector Pradeep Vyas claiming that he had failed to submit a report on Ray’s letter despite several reminders.