Mumbai: The state Urban Development Department, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has relieved Minister Sanjay Shirsat of his position as chairman of the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). Shirsat belongs to the Shiv Sena, which is led by Shinde himself.

The decision comes soon after a few important announcements made by Shirsat after chairing a corporation meeting. It is said that the decisions were public-friendly and could have benefited politically to the Shiv Sena given the upcoming elections to the local elections to Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and other municipal corporations.

The state government order issued on Thursday says that since Shirsat has been sworn in as the minister, his appointment as the chairman of CIDCO was being annulled under Section 202 of the Articles of Association for the authority.

It is significant that the state order has been issued after one month to Shirsat joining the state cabinet as the Minister for Social Justice. According to sources, Shirsat's meeting on January 13 announced a crucial decision about the revision of conditions imposed by the corporation on homebuyers to allow multiple family members to be eligible to purchase property.

According to him, the current rules prevent a person from buying a property constructed by CIDCO if his father already owns one. “Families add numbers and expand, as such rules should be done away with. If a person owns a house sold by CIDCO, his son should also be allowed to buy another house constructed by the corporation,” he had said.

Not only that, Shirsat also spoke about the redevelopment of CIDCO buildings, expressing his desire to relax as many conditions as possible. He was particularly keen on reducing the prices of CIDCO homes to make them more affordable, even if it meant CIDCO would incur losses.