I took no decision in Adarsh case: Narayan Rane

Mumbai, Aug 3: Maharashtra Industries Minister and Congress leader Narayan Rane today (Aug 3) said he had not taken any decision regarding the controversial Adarsh Housing Society when he was the Chief Minister in 1999.

Making a suo-motu statement in the Legislative Assembly here, Rane said an application regarding the proposed Society had come to him on September 21, 1999.

He said he forwarded the application to the revenue department, with the remark "submit a report immediately".

"No decision was taken during my tenure. Even the Deputy Secretary of Revenue department, J K Gharat, has told the judicial commission (probing the scam) that no further action was taken on those remarks," he said.

Subhash Desai of Shiv Sena had raised the issue in the Assembly on Tuesday. Referring to it, Rane alleged that Sena -- his former party -- was trying to drag his name into the controversy for no reason.

"The issue was raised on the floor of the house based on news reports which were not factual. This is an attempt of character assassination."

Adarsh, a 31-storey building in South Mumbai, was allegedly built on Defence Ministry's land, in violation of environmental as well as civic laws.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today said that the enquiry into the scam was going on in the right direction and the truth would come out.

"The CBI and Adarsh Commission are conducting the enquiry appropriately and even the government wants to know the truth," Chavan said in the Legislative Council. Shiv Sena MLC Diwakar Rawate and Dr Neelam Gorhe had sought a discussion on the issue earlier in the morning.

PTI