The real story behind “Adarsh”

Excerpts from “The media has misled us on the Adarsh scam” by Carl H. Gomes, courtesy VigilOnline:

The “housing for widows of the “martyrs” of Kargil” is a media creation because the scheme was never meant for them nor was the plot reserved in their name.

..The project was never promoted as a housing project for the widows of Kargil..the Kargil conflict itself was used as a ploy to get the land transferred to the society with the active connivance of the Defence Estate Officers..

…The Navy had no role to play in giving clearances at that time but top naval brass were offered flats all the same as one of the promoters was a naval officer…The Adarsh plot is not located in far away Yeotmal or Aurangabad but in tony South Bombay (So Bo, as it is called) where property prices are the highest in the world and there is little vacant land left. It is just a stone’s throw away from and in full view of the headquarters of the Maharashtra government, “Mantralaya”, the BMC Headquarters and the Headquarters of the GOC, M&G Area. The building did not come up surreptitiously but grew in stature under the benign gaze of the worthies who occupy these hallowed premises and had their blessings.

The problems really started when the Revenue Minister (now Chief Minister) Ashok Chavan demanded 40% of the flats for civilians (read politicians and bureaucrats). A modest housing project of 6 floors slowly expanded to 31 floors to accommodate the swelling demand…

…This project never had any link to ‘war veterans and/or widows of Kargil’ who were the invisible pawns in the game. We have only been compelled by the media to think that way. In fact, membership was restricted to Maharashtrians and those who could prove domicile in Maharashtra – so much so even the two former Army Chiefs did not just walk in – they had to get exemption from the highest levels of the government, even though this is not a government project.

Image: Collage created from images courtesy NDTV and IBNLive

A few interesting points to consider:

…Heroes and widows of Kargil war number more than one thousand. Most of them have already been allotted flats in Dwarka in Delhi or in their own home states…Besides, it is unthinkable that the Army would think of a welfare activity which could benefit just a small fraction of deserving personnel.

The Navy did not participate in the Kargil conflict yet there are several naval personnel amongst the members. The Air Force did participate but not one AF person is a member…

In conclusion, Carl Gomes ask (emphasis added):

…but will the politician and the bureaucrat be touched?

I can safely say – they won’t…since the rot goes deep – and all the way to the top…What do you think? Pl share your views and thoughts below…and as Sh Gomes’ says:

55% of Mumbai?s population of 15 million live in slums or on the streets while 13 % live in ownership flats. 70% of the rest live in one-room tenements, some of which are crumbling. In a scenario of such abject deprivation, Adarsh is a monument of shame. Let us not drag the names of Kargil heroes into this filth even by association…

Read it in full here.

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