The Indian Express 09.05.2013
No room for illegal structures that came up after March 31, 2012
Finally, it is official. Any illegal construction that sprouted up after March 31, 2012 will be demolished by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. The state government has issued directives to PCMC to demolish these structures as they would not be regularised at any cost.
The government directive came at a meeting convened by Urban Development Department of the state government in Mumbai on May 5. UDD Principal Secretary Manu Kumar Srivastava said all illegal structures that have come up within the municipal corporation jurisdiction will have to be demolished, as the government has decided not to regularise them. These illegal structures have come up in large numbers on reserved land, on public roads and within floodlines. The civic officials said PCMC will now launch its anti-encroachment drive in a big way.
The meeting was convened by the state government to discuss pending proposals of the civic body with the state government. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar presided over the meeting. Among others, Mayor Mohini Lande, Deputy Mayor Raju Misal, MLA Laxman Jagtap, standing committee chairman Navnath Jagtap, NCP House leader Mangala Kadam, NCP unit chief Yogesh Behl and a few top state government officials were present.
As soon as the meeting started, civic office-bearers demanded that illegal constructions that have come up after March 31, 2012 be regularised and the "gunthewari" law be given an extension. Reacting to the demand, Srivastava said these demands cannot be met.
"Illegal constructions that have come after March 31, 2012 would not be regularised. Also, since there are allegations that gunthewari law could be misused, there is no plan to give it an extension. The state government has taken a firm stand on this," he said.
When contacted, Municipal Commissioner Shrikar Pardeshi said, "The state government has made it clear that illegal constructions set up after March 31, 2012 would not be regularised. The Principal Secretary said that an amendment to the Act (BPMC Act) was made in March 2012. When the amended Act has come into force, the state government cannot go against its own law." Besides, he said, the Act has pinned responsibility on officials to ensure that illegal constructions do not come up in their jurisdiction. "Otherwise they would be held responsible and complaints filed against them," he said.
As regards the illegal constructions that have come up before March 31, 2012, the civic chief said, "The government has made it clear that construction on reserved land, in no development zone, within floodlines and in green zones would be demolished. Only constructions like extension of a gallery are likely to be regularised. The government would declare a policy on this," he said.
"The state government will place a proposal in this connection in the assembly during the monsoon session," said Srivastava.
At the meeting, the state government made its stand clear on illegal constructions that have come up before March 31, 2012 in rural areas. Srivastava said the committee that was appointed by the state government to look into illegal constructions that have come up before March 31, 2012 has submitted its report.
The mayor, in the meeting, demanded that the "buffer" zone in Moshi Garbage Depot be reduced and the local residents be provided basic amenities. To this demand, Srivastava directed the PCMC to appoint a committee and submit a report to the state government. "All basic amenities should be given to the local residents," said Ajit Pawar.
Srivastava also directed that the proposal for giving TDR (Transfer of Development Rights) on the land coming within the floodlines be placed before the civic general body meeting afresh.
"Since those having land in floodlines are going to lose crores, the proposal should be placed before the civic general body meeting once again. After it is approved by the GB, suggestions and objections should be invited from citizens. And then, it should be sent to the state government for final approval," said Srivastava.
