Maharashtra to take up CRZ issue with Centre

Admitting that the strict coastal regulation zone (CRZ) rules are affecting the development of infrastructure in the metropolis owing to its peculiar geographical location, Maharashtra chief minister Sushilkumar Shinde today said he would take up the matter with the Union environment ministry.

"I will personally meet the Union environment minister and find a way out of this stalemate affecting the city's growth," Shinde assured the lower house during question hour here.

The issue of CRZ rules affecting city's development was raised by Dattaji Malavade (Sena) and others.

Mohan Patil of Peasants' and Workers' Party (PWP) pointed out that CRZ rules are also affecting development of the Konkan coastal region. After listening to grievances of members, the chief minister admitted that CRZ issue was a complex one.

He informed the house about his meetings with the then environment minister T R Baalu during the NDA regime. "The then government was kind enough as it relaxed CRZ regulations to complete housing projects for poor at Charkop, Versova, Gorai and Mulund areas in the city," he informed.

The development of the city's coastal areas as well as of rural areas is hampered owing to CRZ rules, Shinde said.

Meanwhile, senior NCP leader Kamalkishore Kadam yesterday opposed the new fee structure for medical colleges in Maharashtra.

Kadam, who is also president of the private medical and dental colleges management association, told reporters that it was not feasible to run colleges in the given fee structure.

"We will oppose the new fee structure in the Supreme Court," Kadam, who is also the member of Maharashtra legislative council, said.

The fee structure for all the health sciences institutes in the states, including dental colleges, have been drastically reduced in keeping with the recommendations of Shikshan Shulka Samiti of state higher technical education institutions.