Urban News

  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
India Newspapers

NMMC files FIRs against 344 illegal structures in 3 months

Friday, 14 April 2017 00:00 administrator
Print PDF

The Hindu     14.04.2017  

NMMC files FIRs against 344 illegal structures in 3 months

Officials said that if offenders do not respond to notices, then an FIR is filed and the structure can be demolished.File photo  

Action follows HC orders to initiate criminal proceedings in such cases

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has registered FIRs against 344 illegal structures in Navi Mumbai following a Bombay High Court order to initiate criminal proceedings against builders and developers responsible for illegal constructions encroachments.

The NMMC had registered 95 cases from April 2016 to January 1, 2017, while 344 case were registered in just the last three months. Of these, 174 cases were registered in the last ten days with various police stations. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (encroachment), NMMC, Amberish Patnigere, said, “Cases were registered even in the previous year, but this time, there is a clear rise in the number because of the High Court orders. We will continue to register the FIRs when we do not get a response from the respective party after we serve a notice,” Mr. Patnigere said.

The FIRs were registered as per Sections 53 (power to require removal of unauthorised development) and 54 (power to stop unauthorised development) of the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act. “As per the law, when we get to know of an illegal construction or encroachment, we inspect the place and verify the illegality. Later, we serve those responsible a notice as per which within 32 days, the party has to present themselves. They have to pay the penalty and regularise the structure if that is possible, or demolish the structure. If there is no response, after 32 days, we can demolish the structure. Demolishing the structure is one part, while registering the FIR is a procedure for the criminal offence,” Mr. Patnigere said.


“After the FIR, we arrest the respective people, and the offence being bailable, they get bailed out. We file a charge sheet within 90 days, after which the trial starts,” Senior Police Inspector Rajendra Galande from the APMC Police Station said.

The highest number of cases are against structures in Vashi ward, with 104 cases registered with the Vashi and APMC police stations. This is followed by Nerul with 56 cases, Ghansoli with 44 and and Airoli with 45 cases. Thirty cases have been registered in Koparkhairne ward, 29 in Turbhe, and 36 in Belapur.

If convicted, offenders will face imprisonment from one month to three years, and a fine of Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 5,000. In case of a continuing offence, they may face an additional daily fine up to Rs. 200.

 

MCC staff protest harassment of official by corporator

Thursday, 13 April 2017 10:46 administrator
Print PDF

Deccan Herald       13.04.2017 

MCC staff protest harassment of official by corporator

Mysuru, Apr 13, 2017, DHNS:

Councillor Nataraj accused of harassing DO; Meet convened on April 15

People's representatives urge the agitating Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) staff to withdraw their protest on the MCC  premises in Mysuru on Wednesday. Mayor M J Ravikumar, Corporators Nandeesh Preetham, Sandesh Swamy, B L Bhyrappa are also seen. DH photo

People's representatives urge the agitating Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) staff to withdraw their protest on the MCC  premises in Mysuru on Wednesday. Mayor M J Ravikumar, Corporators Nandeesh Preetham, Sandesh Swamy, B L Bhyrappa are also seen. DH photo

Officials and employees of the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) staged a protest against Corporator (ward number 58) B M Nataraj on charges of harassing and using abusive language against a Development Officer.

The staffers staged a protest in front of the MCC main office in the city on Wednesday. The agitators, including a few civic workers, said that JD(S) Corporator Nataraj pressured and harassed Zone 9 development officer Ninga Shetty to approve road repair works before getting an official approval from MCC. The agitators said that it becomes difficult for them to work if the people’s representatives exert pressure on them to do illegal works.

The agitating employees, holding placards that read ‘respect government officials’, ‘stop goondaism’, raised slogans against Nataraj. However, the agitators called off the protest after Mayor M J Ravikumar promised to hold an enquiry and take appropriate action. The Mayor said he would convene a meeting in this regard on April 15.

According to Ninga Shetty, a contractor took up repair works of the Cauvery Main Road in Zone 9 before seeking an approval from MCC. As MCC Commissioner G Jagadeesha is deputed for bypoll duty in Nanjangud Assembly (reserved) constituency and because the model code of conduct is in force, the approval for works got delayed.

“Though I had explained to the corporator about the legal aspects, he used abusive language and mentally harassed me to approve the works,” Ninga Shetty said. Shetty has filed a case of mental harassment against the corporator.

MCC Commissioner G Jagadeesha told DH that people’s representatives should respect officials and obstructing their work is an offence. “There is no provision for issuance of new bills for old works and taking up the works without tender is not permissible,” the commissioner said. He said the issue has already been discussed with the Deputy Commissioner and will be taken up once the election duty is over.Nataraj was not available for comment.
 

Air pollution complaints to BMC rose 63% in 2016

Thursday, 13 April 2017 05:46 administrator
Print PDF

The Times of India        13.04.2017  

Air pollution complaints to BMC rose 63% in 2016

Image used for representation.
MUMBAI: A 63% increase in the number of air pollution complaints received by the BMC was observed in 2016 compared to the previous year. In fact, in January and December 2016 the recorded Air Quality Index (AQI) was higher than in previous years. Incidentally, last January a fire broke out in the Deonar dumping ground which went on for almost a week.

A civic white paper released by the NGO Praja stated that in 2015, the BMC received 94 air pollution complaints while in 2016 it went up to 153. On the other hand, complaints registered owing to pollution due to chemical effluents in 2015 stood at 33, while in 2016 it went up to 51.

Milind Mhaske project director at the NGO Praja said, "These figures are from complaints made to BMC on their helpline 1916 and also those registered with them on their website. The figures clearly indicate people today are waking up to the problem of pollution and it's important the authorities take cognizance of it."

Neha Parkhi, programme officer from System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research project said, "Even we have started getting more queries on air pollution."

"Today, the situation is such that in case of a blaze at the dump, parts of the city far from the dump also get enveloped in smoke. The smell of garbage burning definitely does not go unnoticed," said Kala Suresh, who lives off the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road.
 
More Articles...


Page 78 of 4907