Notices to officials whose kin own flats in Adarsh

The new Prithviraj Chavan-led government has sent notices to 14 bureaucrats whose kin own flats in the controversial Adarsh housing society in South Mumbai, asking them to explain the source of funds.

“The bureaucrats, including senior IAS officials, have also been asked to explain the alleged breach of conduct of civil service rules,” a senior government official said. Those issued notices include D K Shankaran, former chief secretary to the government; Jairaj Phatak, former municipal commissioner of Mumbai; Subhash Lala, former principal secretary to the chief minister; Ramanand Tiwari, former urban development secretary; and P V Deshmukh, former deputy secretary, urban development. They have been asked if they informed the government about the purchase of flats and the source of funds, the sources said.

On taking charge, both Chavan and his deputy, Ajit Pawar, had said the government was open to an inquiry into the scam. Pawar was quite vocal on this issue and indicated action would be taken against officials allegedly involved.