The meeting was attended by Deputy CM Gopinath Munde, Housing Minister Prakash Mehta, Minister of State for Housing Raj Purohit and officials of BMC, railways, MHADA and other departments of the state government.

The state government had declared the deadline of January 1, 1995, as the cut-off date for its slum rehabilitation scheme. While all slums existing prior to this date were to be included in the scheme, those constructed after that day were declared illegal.

Joshi said all ward officers who don't take action against such illegal slums will be held responsible and will have to face disciplinary action. Regarding non-issuance of occupation certificates to numerous buildings, which were therefore not given water connections and other amenities, Joshi said a decision will be taken in the next 15days. He said the cabinet will soon decide on the issue of letting MLAs use their development funds for repairs to old buildings.

Joshi reiterated his government's committment to solve the problem of dilapidated buildings in the city by January 1, 1999 by implementing various measures recommended by the Sukhthankar committee.

Joshi said instead of demolishing some unauthorised buildings, the government was considering taking over the same for its office use.