Addressing a press conference at Mantralaya this afternoon, minister of state for housing Raj Purohit appealed to affected citizens to help the government in making a strong case for tenants in the apex court.

``Several tenants' organisations and their self-proclaimed leaders had accused the state government of favouring the landlords and not taking a clear stand in the Supreme Court in 1997. The government has filed a review petition against the December 1997 judgement of the apex court directing the state government to introduce an act based on the Model Rent Act.

Hearing on this case is scheduled to be heard in the SC on January 25. The state government has appointed senior advocate Ashok Desai as its counsel on tenants' demand. I appeal all tenants' bodies in the state to participate inthe legal proceedings. The tenants can also personally argue their case or appoint any lawyer,'' the minister said.

Tenants and activists can give their sugestions directly to the minister, who can be contacted at his fifth floor office in Mantralaya or on telephone no. 283 7261. Housing secretary V P Raja can be contacted at his second floor office in Mantralaya or on 202 3036.

On the latest legal position about the Rent Control Act in the state, Purohit said: ``The present act is of temporary basis and will lapse on March 31, 1999. I hope the Supreme Court will decide the case till then. If it does not, all efforts will be made to enact a comprehensive act which will guard tenants in Maharashtra. The Rent Act bill drafted by the government is pending with the Joint Select Committee of the state legislature for consideration. As soon as the committee submits its report, the government can promulgate an ordinance to this effect or a special session of the state legislature can also be summoned, if needarises.''