Adarsh society asked to reply to notice by Dec 6

NEW DELHI - The environment ministry Monday granted an extension of seven days to Mumbai’s scam-hit Adarsh housing society for replying to its show-cause notice for “unambiguously” violating coastal regulation zone (CRZ) laws.

The society, in its letter dated Nov 24, had sought four weeks’ time from the ministry for filing the reply, an official said. However, the ministry said that the request for four weeks is unreasonable and granted an extension of seven days for filing the reply. Adarsh will now submit its report by Dec 6.

In the notice issued Nov 12, the ministry asked the society to show cause why the 31-floor structure should not be demolished forthwith under section five of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

The society was given two weeks’ time to reply, and one week after that to be heard by the environment ministry.

The ministry also accepted the society’s request of appearing with a legal counsel but said company representatives should also be present.

The scam relates to the controversial residential block being built in Mumbai’s upscale Colaba locality and in the neighbourhood of naval establishments. Originally meant to be a six-storeyed apartment block for housing Kargil war heroes and widows, it was surreptitiously converted into a plush 31-storeyed building. The society has over 100 members, including former service chiefs, senior serving army officials, bureaucrats, politicians and their kin.