Joshi Orders Inquiry Into Mill Land Development

Maharashtra chief minister Manohar Joshi yesterday ordered an inquiry into development of mill lands by mill owners allegedly in violation of the Board for Industrial Financial Reconstructions (BIFR) proposals, and civic and government rules.

He told a news conference after the weekly cabinet meeting here the inquiry would cover mills whose revival proposals through development and sale of surplus land was approved by BIFR and the previous congress government, the extent of development carried out by mill owners, and submissions of officers before BIFR on behalf of government.

The inquiry would cover sick private mills as well as mills owned by state-run National Textiles Corporation, he said, adding he would expect within a week, all details from government as well as civic authorities, who regulate urban land development.

Joshi ordered the inquiry when his attention was drawn to allegations of massive irregularities levelled by Girani Sangharsha Samiti (mill action committee) of workers, which has demanded a CBI probe into the whole affair.

The committee had on Monday alleged that certain mill owners who had received permission from BIFR for development of surplus land carried out work in their mill premises in total disregard of the stipulated conditions.