Adarsh demolition: Cong steers clear

New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) Congress today steered clear ofthe Environment ministry''s directive to demolish the scam-hitAdarsh Housing Society in Mumbai saying it is a matter betweenthe central and the state governments.

"There is no question of welcoming or not welcoming it.

All legal, technical and proceedural issues concerning theissue are between the Environment Ministry and the stategovernments," a senior party leader said on the conditionanonymity.

Sources in the party, however, said Jairam''s directivewas "legally sustainable".

"He was looking into the issue of Coastal Regulatory Zoneand his order is legally sustainable from that point ofview. He was seized of the CRZ matter. He could have eithersoftpedalled on the issue or come to a conclusion. He chosethe latter," a party leader said commenting on the EnvironmentMinister''s directive.

The leader said it however needed to be looked intohow the directive could be factored into taking a decision asinvesitgations by CBI as well as state government arealready on into the issue.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi had yesterdayclaimed moral high ground over the Environment Ministry''sdirective and said the party had always "acted" consistentlywhenever faced with credible allegations.

"This is legal proceedings where the government hasacted on the basis of material available to it. Furtheraction will be necessarily subject to law.