The Indian Express 24.09.2013
PCMC acts tough: 400 buildings razed, 2,400 FIRs filed
In contrast to Mahesh Pathak-led PMC, which appears to have slowed down its drive against illegal construction, the Shrikar Pardeshi-led PCMC continues to act tough. In the last one year, it has razed 400 illegal structures across the industrial town. The civic body has also filed FIRs against a 2,400 individuals who had set up the structures. Civic officials said this is the highest number of FIRs in connection with illegal structures from any civic body in the state.
PCMC Commissioner Shrikar Pardeshi said the drive has picked up. "If you compare the figures on structures of demolished during early months of the drive and later months, you will notice the difference. The drive has not slowed down in any way," he said.
He said the drive happens whenever the police bandobast is available. "If the police cover is not there, the drive does not take place. For example, during certain occasions like Ganesh festival, the entire force is preoccupied with security arrangements. We do not get police cover and so the drive does not take place," he said. Civic officials said PCMC avoids acting against illegal structures during festivities.
Even since PCMC under his leadership has acted against illegal structures, Pardeshi has received seven threats to his life. Also the entire political class has agitated against his drive. Three MLAs and two MPs made an all-out attempt to get the government to stop the drive.
Three MLAs, Laxman Jagtap, Vilas Lande and Anna Bansode, all from NCP, staged protests in the state Assembly drawing media attention. "But even this failed to impress the Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan who has stood by the PCMC chief," civic officials said.
Though his writ runs wide and deep in PCMC, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has not been able to stop Pardeshi administration's drive. The PCMC chief is banking on the high court directive that ordered the civic body act against illegal constructions.
"Whatever we are doing is as per the high court directive. Till the state government announces a policy decision, we will go ahead with the demolitions," he said. Civic activist D G Baliga said the PCMC drive has paid rich dividends.
"Today citizens and builders are wary of setting up illegal constructions. You will not find one illegal construction coming up in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Even officials are wary as they know the civic chief will file FIR against them as per the provision in the law," he said.
