Straight Answers

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Subrat Ratho</span> Additional Municipal Commissioner on being appointed to probe official lapses in the Sara and Sahara Complex cases:<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">You have been appointed to give a report on the dubious activities of your own colleagues in the Sara and Sahara complex case.How do you look at the job?</span> <br /><br />It''s not an easy job. But you should remember that the suspected links of some civic officials with the underworld had affected the morale of other officials. It has created an atmosphere of suspicion and has damaged the corporation''s image. It is in the fitness of things that we do our inquiry and fix responsibility on whoever is found guilty to establish credibility in the public eye.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What is the scope of your inquiry?</span> <br /><br />I am being assisted by two other civic officials. My inquiry will pertain only to the alleged irregularities in the Sara and Sahara shopping complex issue. Following media reports linking several civic officials with the underworld, there is a lot of confusion. My report, to be submitted within a few days, will put an end to this. The investigation is on in full speed. I have gathered several details of the goings on in the building proposals department. The report will be submitted to the Municipal Commissioner. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal has said that the state government has nothing to do with the matter and it is up to the BMC, police and court to take action. What are the initial findings of your probe?</span><br /><br />The report is confidential. Only the commissioner can make it public. I am also trying to find out if some honest officials are being made scapegoats by others in the buildings proposal department, in connivance with certain police officers. It really came as a surprise to us when Assistant Municipal Commissioner Rajendra Vale''s name popped up in the case.</div> </div>