In spite of receiving adverse remarks by his own officials over Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray’s memorial being set up at the mayor’s bungalow, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis went ahead with the mo
In spite of receiving adverse remarks by his own officials over Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray’s memorial being set up at the mayor’s bungalow, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis went ahead with the move, it has been revealed. Officials had opposed setting up the memorial at the site, pointing at Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) norms, a Supreme Court ruling on building memorials in the government-owned houses and heritage structure and
giving land to a private trust. The sources in the government said that the chief minister overlooked a three-page report submitted to him giving a negative opinion about using the mayor’s bungalow as a memorial site.
The officials in the government were asked to submit a primary report suggesting sites for the Thackeray memorial last year.
The plots included the mayor’s bungalow near Shivaji Park while two were at Parel where a textile museum was to be set up, and two were in Wadala on saltpan land. The Sena leaders even viewed four plots and conducted a survey if the memorial can take place there and they insisted on the mayor’s bungalow.
“It was pointed out to the chief minister that the mayor’s bungalow is near the seashore, which falls under the CRZ regulations, making it difficult for anything to be constructed on it. Also, the bungalow is a heritage structure and cannot be touched from the outside,” an official said on
the condition of anonymity. The officials who were entrusted with the responsibility raised two more objections about erecting the memorial at the mayor’s bungalow.
“It was pointed out that the Supreme Court had issued an order in past that the government properties cannot be converted into memorials of deceased people,” the official said. The officials had cautioned the government over handing over the land to a private trust that would be headed by Shiv Sena. However, in the end, the mayor’s bungalow was finalised, which the official said might result in legal trouble. “It was the government’s decision and hence we have nothing to comment on it. The government will have to follow all the norms,” the official added.
While announcing the memorial two days ago, Mr Fadnavis had said that all rules and regulations would be compliedwith. When asked about the heritage structure and CRZ norms, which might affect the construction, the chief minister had said, “All the rules will be followed before completing the memorial.”
