HC asks state to explain residential extension to four ex-ministers

Mumbai, Mar 1 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today directed the Maharashtra government to explain how four former ministers were allowed extensions to reside in official bungalows even after they ceased to hold office.

The four former ministers include Suresh Jain, Naseem Khan, Subhash Thakre and Chandrakant Shivarkar.

A division bench comprising justices R M Lodha and Anoop Mohta gave the directions on a Public Interest Litigation.

Arguing before the division bench, Advocate M P Vashi told the court that Naseem Khan, whose extension will expire on March 31, Subhash Thakre whose extension expired on December 31 last year, Chandrakant Shivarkar, whose extension will expire on May 31 and Suresh Jain's on February 28, were all granted the extensions. They owed Rs 11,849, Rs 131,000, Rs 39,037 and Rs 92,973 respectively.

The court was told that the state government was not aware as to how much dues had been recovered from the in and how much was still to be recovered.

They asked the Maharashtra government to justify the grounds on which the extensions had been granted.

The court has directed the Principal Secretary to file an affidavit explaining why they were granted extension during the next hearing two weeks hence.

UNI ARM-ADG AK LR RN2234