Mumbai Beat — Govt warns Gokhale

The Sena-BJP government today communicated its strong displeasure to Municipal Commissioner Girish Gokhale for inept handling of the row ov...

The Sena-BJP government today communicated its strong displeasure to Municipal Commissioner Girish Gokhale for inept handling of the row over illegal and unauthorised constructions of a section of the leading textile mills.

“Though these mills had deliberately violated the Development Control rules, Gokhale made an attempt to justify the constructions, saying, the same could be regularised. It was highly improper on the part of an official of the rank of Municipal Commissioner to submit such a report to the Chief Minister,” a senior Urban Development Department official told Newsline.

Following a complaint lodged by the Band Girni Kamgar Sangharsha Samiti, the state government had ordered a high-level inquiry into the constructions made by New Great, Kamla, Sriram, Khatau, Modern and Swan Mills. It was confirmed that they had utilised the surplus land for housing purposes, though under the DC rules they were directed to use it for industrial purposes.

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When asked if the alliance government will take disciplinary action or shunt him out of the corporation, the official said it was now for the Chief Minister to take a decision. This was for the second time in the recent past that the alliance government has expressed displeasure over the style of Gokhale’s functioning. Earlier, Joshi had taken strong objection to Gokhale’s failure to remain present at a high-level meeting at Mantralaya. Six other officials were suspended with immediate effect, the official added.

Navy week

The naval colours were lowered at the Gateway of India marking an end to the Navy Day today. The45-minute finale to the navy week was the beating retreat, an old military ceremony dating from the days when troops were disengaged from battle at sunset or soon thereafter.

Holiday special

The Western Railway has increased the frequency of the 976 Dn/976 Up Bandra Terminus-Jaipur holiday special train from two to four days in a week from Friday. Accordingly, the Jaipur-bound 975 Dn is scheduled to depart from Bandra Terminus at 3.10 pm on December 5/6, 8/9, 12/13, 15/16, 19/20, 22/23, 26/27 and 29/30 to reach Jaipur the next day at 2.15 pm.