JULY 11: The lower rank police personnel cannot be alloted plots of land near the Worli seaface. However, they may apply for plots in suburbs like Charkop, Chandivali and Kandivali.

The statement was made by state Advocate General C J Sawant today before the division bench of Justice Ashok Agarwal and S D Gundewar in response to three petition filed by Sambha Chavan of Police Mitra Mandal, Annie Sebastian for clerical staff in the police commissioner's office and the Ganesh co-operative housing society comprising the constabulary. The three petitions challenged allotment of two plots, Sukhada and Shubhada, at Worli to former and present legislators and politicians. The allotment was made in March 1997.

The Advocate General said members of the Ganesh co-operative society have already been given alternative accommodation. The other two petitioners can apply for plots elsewhere. Sawant said even if the constabulary is granted these plots, they will not be able to afford the maintenance and mere lease rent of these plots.

Counsel for the legislators' societies, D Y Chandrachud, supported Sawant's argument stating that lease rent of some societies is Rs 1.8 crore per annum. While this amount is just 15 per cent of the market rate, it is quite unaffordable for the constabulary members. Therefore, it will be impossible for the constables to pay the recurring liability.

Counsel for the petitioners Shankar Thorat argued that government resolution (GR) grants priority to police personnel during allotment of land.

However, Justice Agarwal said the GR does not grant a right to claim government land, adding that the petitioners should make a fresh application for an alternate plot of land. Therefore, Thorat pleaded for time since none of his clients were present in the court. The matter is slated for further hearing on July 21.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.