MUMBAI, Aug 12: Maharashtra chief minister Manohar Joshi on Tuesday admitted that there was a blatant violation of Development Control (DC) rules and state government directives by six textile mills whose rehabilitation plan has been sanctioned by the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR).

Joshi told reporters here Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Girish Gokhale would hold an inquiry into these violations and dereliction of duties by the corporation officials. The report is expected within the next 15 days, he said.

Joshi said stern action would be taken against these mills and the concerned corporation officials. Joshi's admission has exposed the inaction on the part of MMC and the government. He said action against these mills would be taken as per the corporation rules.

He said "The unauthorised constructions could be regularised through the payment of hefty penalties or be demolished". Sriram Mills has sold out its administrative building to various companies without seeking necessary permission from the state government.

BIFR had cleared its revival package on July 20, 1994, and the Sharad Pawar government had given its clearance on October 10, 1994, to sell 1.20 lakh sq ft land, half of which would be for residential purpose and remaining for development under section 58 (1) (a) (iii).

Incidentally, Sriram Mills' proposal to develop and sell additional land of 28,000 sq metres under section 58 (1)(a) (iii) had already been cleared by the Appellate Authority for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (AAIFR). However, the state government has yet to give its sanction for this revised proposal.

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