The state government had taken up the issue of Sankaran's appointment with the EC last month, but was told that it would be difficult to shift the CEO as he was entrusted with the task of revision of electoral rolls. ``We have made a fresh request to the Election Commission to relieve Sankaran and enable him to take on the new assignment. Since elections to the Lok Sabha will now be held in September-October, I think the commission will concede our request,'' Chief Minister Narayan Rane told mediapersons at Mantralaya.

The present incumbent Girish Gokhale, who had openly opposed the Mayor in Council system, has sought voluntary retirement. Since no decision has been taken on his application, it is up to Gokhale to accept a new assignment. ``If the EC accepts our request, Gokhale will be given a newposting. The decision to take it up will be upto him,'' said Rane. The government has forwarded three names - Ashok Sinha, Kavita Sinha and Chand Goel, to the Election Commission as successor to Sankaran.

On the issue of sick and closed textile mills, Rane stated that since there was no unanimity among trade unions in the textile sector on disposal of surplus land, the existing formula under the Development Control rules should be modified suitably. ``At the moment, of the total surplus land, one-third each is given to the mill owner, the BMC and the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority. However, I feel that this should be changed after holding consultations with mill owners and trade union leaders,'' stated Rane.

A government survey has revealed that a large number of textile mills possess land in excess of what is permitted by the Urban Land Ceiling Act. ``If mill owners are in possession of excess land, legally, they do not have any right over it,'' Rane commented.

Due to highproduction costs, several textile units are reporting sick, said Rane. ``Compared to other cities in the country, the cost of production of cloth is highest in Mumbai, due to which it is difficult to compete with products in other cities,'' Rane claimed.