CM, Gokhale feud: fodder for thought

So, is the CM still angry with the Commissioner over his outbursts about government’s intentions to introduce the mayor-in-council system in BMC, or has a rapprochement been made? Nobody knows.

“Initially, Joshi had approved the proposal (to convey displeasure to Gokhale over his inaction) moved by Principal Secretary (Urban Development) K Nalinakshan. However, subsequently, the Chief Minister stayed his own decision for reasons only he knows,” a senior said.

Joshi had asked the Urban Development Department to conduct an inquiry against New Great Eastern Spinning and Weaving Mills, Kamla Mills, Shriram Mills, Modern Mills and Swan Mills for having violated urban development rules. As a part of the revival package approved by the erstwhile Congress government these mills were permitted to commercially exploit their surplus land for generating funds. But after the alliance government came to power it stayed all the permissions.

Later, however, an inquiry revealed that despite specific orders, a deputy secretary in the textiles department had allowed these mills to go ahead with their development plans. In his report, Nalikshan had recommended that displeasure be communicated to Girish Gokhale on the ground that he justified the permission granted by his subordinates. Nalinakshan had also urged the government to suspend W G Gorde, the then Deputy Secretary in the textiles department , Deputy Chief Engineer U B Kulkarni and Assistant Engineers Rajwade and Padgaonkar (both from Brihanumbai Municipal Corporation). Meanwhile, Gokhale met the chief minister today. However, he refused to divulge what transpired at the meeting. “I do not wish to speak to the press,” he told the media.