This Article is From Jan 18, 2011

Ex-servicemen caught in the Adarsh crossfire

Ex-servicemen caught in the Adarsh crossfire
Mumbai: The Centre may have signalled the demolition of the Adarsh Society building but that has left many ex-servicemen livid. Some of them bought flats here legitimately and are understandably upset about having to pay for a crime they never committed.

"Here is a Kargil hero who is now being buried in the political fallout", says retired Lieutenant Major RK Singh, probably the only flat-owner who fought the Kargil war.

He bought an apartment with his life's savings and also took a home loan for the same. Now, as the building faces demolition, he is angry.

"The Maharashtra Government has cheated us because it gave all the illegal clearances", fumed Lt Maj Singh.

His friend, Colonel KJS Khurana, also faces the same fate.

He was just about to move into his apartment when the scam broke and Occupation Certificates of all members were cancelled.

"I am not hungry for money. I am 65 years old and wanted to spend my remaining years there", said an upset Colonel Khurana.

The demolition order has raised the complex issue of compensation as well. Society members who bought flats legitimately and have no connection with the scam want to know who will refund their money and what will happen to their home loans if the building is demolished.

Sachin Ahir, Environment Minister, Maharshtra said, "The CM has called for a meeting on Adarsh today. He will decide on this issue."

Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has already said that the 31-storey structure will be razed if the society does not demolish the building within three months.

The society meanwhile has planned to move the Bombay High Court against the ministry's order.

But that is clearly not the end of Adarsh's problems. The housing society is also facing a CBI and a judicial probe into the very ownership of the land on which it stands.
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