Will Sachin get permission to make his gym bigger?

Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh today asked the State Government to look into the issue of granting additional floor space index (FSI) to master blaster Sachin Tendulkar for a gymnasium at his Bandra residence here.

The issue was raised in the Upper House by Ramdas Kadam (Shiv Sena), who said the Government should grant extra FSI (which is a ratio of the built-up area and the plot area) for setting up a gymnasium at his under-construction bungalow.

The Urban Development Department had rejected the cricket maestro's request for extra FSI in February, citing Coastal Regulation Zone norms.

"The Government should call back the file and grant extra FSI to him," Kadam said. "The Government should look into the matter," Deshmukh said.

Earlier, the Council congratulated the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team for winning the World Cup and recommended to
the Centre that Tendulkar be conferred Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award.

The motion of congratulating the team was moved by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and supported by all parties.

The State will honour Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan with a cash prize of Rs one crore each and a citation. Similarly, Wankhede Stadium Logistics Manager Mayank Parikh and the team's masseur Ramesh Mane will be given Rs 50 lakh each. "We recommend that Tendulkar be conferred with the Bharat Ratna for his contribution to sports," Pawar said. Opposition Leader Pandurang Phundkar praised the team and also reminded the Government that the prizes announced for the T-20 Cup winning squad were not given yet.