Speaker asks govt to make statement on forest land issue

Mumbai, Mar 25 (UNI) Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar today asked the state government to make a statement on the issue of forest lands in Mumbai.

The Bombay High Court had yesterday ordered that there should be no further construction activities on forest land in areas from Borivali in the western suburbs to Bhandup and Mulund in north-east Mumbai. The High Court had observed that the state government had the right to take possession of the land in the areas.

The forest land issue was raised in the Legislative Assembly by BJP leader Eknath Khadse, Leader of the Opposition Ramdas Kadam and others, saying the order would affect 1.5 lakh flat owners who had put their entire earnings into purchasing the houses.

Taking the issue seriously, the Speaker directed the government to make a statement.

UNI JM MAZ KK ND1440