State asks panel to submit interim report by March 15

The commission of inquiry probing the Adarsh scam has been asked to submit its interim report before March 15. It is learnt that the government wants to table this report in the budget session of the state legislature, which is scheduled to begin on March 15.

The commission of inquiry probing the Adarsh scam has been asked to submit its interim report before March 15. It is learnt that the government wants to table this report in the budget session of the state legislature, which is scheduled to begin on March 15.

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In a letter dated January 30 to the commission, a copy of which is available with HT, principal secretary (general administration) KP Bakshi wrote: “During winter session of the legislature held in December 2011, discussion on the subject took place and general concern expressed by members was to expedite the enquiry. The budget session is going to begin on March 15, when the issue regarding the progress of enquiry is likely to be raised.”

The government has asked the commission to share its findings on two crucial issues -- ownership of the land, and whether there was any reservation on the same. When the panel was set up, these were the first two terms of reference for the probe. The letter points out that the hearing on these aspects is already over.

An official, who did not wish to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media, said the government was convinced it would get a clean chit on these two issues. He said: “Documen-tary evidence proves that the state owns the Adarsh land, and that there was no reservation, as alleged, for defence personnel.”

When the Adarsh scam broke out in late 2010, it rocked the then Congress-led government. Its chief minister, Ashok Chavan, had to quit eventually, as he was accused of getting civilians, including his relatives, flats in the housing society.

Chavan’s predecessors —Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushilkumar Shinde — faced serious charges as well. Shinde was chief minister when the society was allotted the land, while Deshmukh was in charge of the urban development department when land reservations were changed to benefit the society.

Relatives and close aides of dozens of politicians and several high-ranking defence personnel were also allotted flats in the society.

A rattled state government appointed a two-member judicial commission – comprising Justice AA Patil and former IAS officer P Subramaniam – to probe the irregularities.

In January 2011, it asked the panel to verify ownership of the plot on which Adarsh society was built, and also investigate whether the land was reserved to provide houses for defence forces.

Eleven other matters related to the scam were also referred to the panel. Till now, the panel has examined all the main accused, including several politicians, serving and retired bureaucrats, and defence officials.

The commission was expected to file its report in three months, but sought an extension till May 31, 2012.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the case independently as well.