Though the inquiry commission set up to probe the Adarsh society scam submitted its report three months earlier, the Maharashtra government remains non committal over making the report public.
Addressing a press conference on the eve of monsoon session of the state assembly, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Sunday made it clear that the report will be made public at the right time. “We will put the report in public domain at the right time,” he said, ignoring the question when asked whether the report will be presented in monsoon session. “Let the right time come. We will make it public,” he reiterated.
In January 2011, the state government had announced a two member inquiry commission, consisting of former Bombay high Court Judge JA Patil and former Maharashtra chief secretary P Subramanian to inquire into the Adarsh society scam. Adarsh, originally meant for families of Kargil war heroes, is facing accusations of violations of environmental norms. Besides, several bureaucrats and politicians stand accused of grabbing flats in the society. In 2010, after the scam broke out, the then state chief minister Ashok Chavan had to resign from his post, after it was revealed that his relatives owned flats in the Adarsh society.
Among other important bills to be tabled in this session is the Anti-Superstition bill (The Maharashtra Eradication of Blind Faith Bill), 2013. The bill is surrounded by controversy after a section of Hindu right-wing activists opposed it, claiming it to be against religious sentiments. “Our ministers have spoken with those who are opposing the bill. We will go ahead with this bill only after satisfying the opposition,” said Mr. Chavan.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties on Sunday slammed the state government accusing it of shielding its ministers who are facing allegations of corruption. Other vital issues like the rise in illegal constructions, water scarcity in several parts of the state will also remain on the opposition’s agenda.
“The government is sidelining serious issues raised by the opposition. The government has shown utter ignorance to unearth the real culprits behind irrigation scam and other such scams. The opposition will corner the government over all these issues in the monsoon session,” said Vinod Tawade, Opposition leader in the state council.
