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Chavan refutes allegations against Urban Development Dept

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Press Trust of India Mumbai
Denying that the Urban Development Department changed reservations of 33 plots and hiked Floor Space Index in special townships for the benefit of certain builders, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today said he will reconsider the decisions if the allegations were substantiated.

Chavan himself holds the Urban Development portfolio.

"I have been in the social life for the last 25 years and have not given anyone a chance to raise a finger at me and won't give in the future," he said.

"If there is even a single decision, which has been taken in violation of norms, I am ready for a reconsideration.
 

"There has been a lot of discussion about my style of functioning and I have replied to it through my actions," said Chavan, who has been often accused of indecisiveness.

"I will always give priority to work, which involves the larger social and public interest, rather than one which involves personal motives," he said adding, "I have always taken negative decisions on works, which involve interests of a few."

The Chief Minister was replying to a debate on the Governor's address to the joint session of the Legislature.

During the debate, BJP MLC Ashish Shelar had asked whether the decisions were taken due to monetary considerations. He had alleged that proposals of 11 developers seeking more FSI in return for building parking spaces were pending for four months; and one Rohan Jagdale was demanding money to get them cleared.

Shelar claimed that Jagdale was Chavan's relative, and this person had also collected money from those who had benefited by decision to change reservations of plots.

Altogether 664.70 acres of land was de-reserved by the government last year for the benefit of builders, Shelar had said.

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First Published: Mar 18 2013 | 8:35 PM IST

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