AK Antony accepts ‘irregularities’ in Adarsh society

Defence minister AK Antony on Monday accepted that there were ‘irregularities’ in the construction of Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society in Mumbai, including disregarding security concerns of the defence services.

“Prima facie there have been irregularities,” Antony said in a reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha.

“Some issues of concern in this regard include issue of No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Army to inter alia alienate the land in its possession in favour of the ACHS; by-passing the Coastal Regulation Zone and disregard to security concerns of the defence services,” he said.

The land was sought from the Maharashtra government for construction of the Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society (ACHS) for the welfare of serving and retired defence personnel.

The minister said civilians were also allotted flats in the Society though it was originally meant only for defence personnel.

Altogether 102 people were allotted flats, of which 37 are serving officers, he informed.

Antony said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been asked to investigate the matter and fix responsibilities.