Activists in Vasai Virar demand SIT probe into Illegal constructions
VASAI:
Activists in Vasai Virar
are calling for a
Special Investigating Team
(SIT) to investigate the continuous illegal construction activities in the region, following an RTI disclosure revealing 4,95,285 illegal units being charged property tax/house tax (gharpatti).
These unauthorised structures are putting excessive pressure on the city's infrastructure, affecting water, electricity, and transport services for legitimate tax-paying residents. The senior officials of
Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation
(VVCMC) have been criticised for their alleged negligent approach towards land mafia encroachment and non-compliance with court orders.
Terence Hendriques, who filed a PIL regarding illegal construction in VVCMC jurisdiction, questions why cases under MRTP (Maharashtra Regional & Town Planning Act, 1966) aren't filed against developers when they submit self-attested affidavits acknowledging illegal construction whilst applying for gharpatti.
He notes that despite the presence of approximately 5 lakh illegal units, the former municipal commissioner in March 2021 reported only 2,817 illegal structures to the court. Hendriques emphasises the need for the Maharashtra chief minister to establish an SIT to address this issue.
Deepak Rao, who filed a PIL with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to protect a water body in Chinchoti (Vasai Taluka), highlights what he called the casual attitude of VVCMC officials towards court cases and RTI applications. He mentions that AMC Rajendra Kadam was fined Rs 25,000 for delayed RTI responses. Despite ongoing court proceedings, illegal construction continues on a reclaimed water body allegedly controlled by Virendra Singh, a person with multiple FIRs against him.
The complainants are compelled to seek legal intervention due to VVCMC's inaction against illegal construction and their reluctance to file MRTP cases against the land mafia. For instance, despite two MRTP notices, no FIR has been filed against Irshad Khan, who allegedly constructed illegal commercial establishments spanning 2-3 lakh square feet in Pelhar, Nalasopara. Additionally, approximately 30-35 acres of land in Wakanpada, Pelhar, Nalasopara East has been illegally developed after destroying hillocks, with forest land within VVCMC jurisdiction also being encroached upon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
70-yr-old guard killed in R'bore tiger attack; 3rd in 2 months
1 2 3 4 Jaipur: A 70-year-old guard of a Jain temple inside Ranthambore Fort was killed in a tiger attack Monday, marking the third human kill in the state's most popular tiger reserve within two months. The death triggered an emergency response, with National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) approving a pending proposal to urgently relocate the sub-adult cubs of tigress Arrowhead (T-84), allegedly behind a series of attacks on humans in Ranthambore, including the latest one. The victim was identified as Radheshyam Mali from Sherpur village. Around 4.30am, he went out to relieve himself outside the temple premises when the tiger pounced on him and dragged him away, officials said. Tensions escalated as Mali's kin and locals staged a protest outside the forest department at the fort later in the day, demanding Rs 50 lakh compensation, a govt job for a family member, and 10 bighas of land. Negotiations between the authorities and the protesters remained inconclusive till late evening. Last month, Arrowhead's cub Kankati killed a seven-year-old boy. A week later, she killed a 40-year-old forest guard.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Shongtong-Karcham gets 2026 deadline, HP bets big on hydro
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has set a firm Nov 2026 deadline for the completion of the long-delayed Shongtong-Karcham hydroelectric project, saying the 450-MW plant will generate Rs 1,000 crore in annual revenue and strengthen the state's green energy ambitions. Sukhu on Monday inspected the under-construction site in Kinnaur district — visiting both the power house at Karcham and the barrage site at Powari — where he met engineers and workers. He said that even though the project had dragged on for 13 years, the state's current Congress govt had fast-tracked its progress and was committed to commissioning it on schedule. "This project symbolises our focus on tapping river resources to drive economic growth," Sukhu said, adding that the state was moving actively to regain control over stalled or externally-managed hydroelectric initiatives. He claimed that the govt was assessing the total expenditure incurred on other major hydropower projects — including Dhaulasidh, Luhri, and Sunni — with plans to resume and regulate their construction under state-led terms. "Unlike the previous BJP govt, which compromised state interests, we are prioritising Himachal Pradesh's control over its energy assets," Sukhu said. The CM also announced that HP was advancing plans for a geothermal power facility at Tapri in Kinnaur and expanding its capacity in solar and green hydrogen energy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Despite being an energy-surplus state, HP still buys electricity from neighbouring states during winter for Rs 5 to 6 a unit. Sukhu said the state was ramping up solar-energy generation to offset this seasonal gap. "It has 626 MW worth of solar-power projects in various stages of development currently through the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL)," he said. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi and senior district officials accompanied Sukhu during the site visit. MSID:: 121728609 413 |
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan says Centre not distributing charity to Himachal
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan on Monday said that the central govt is not distributing charity to Himachal Pradesh, but the state is only getting its share, like all other 29 states of the country. Responding to the statements made by BJP MPs Anurag Thakur, Suresh Kashyap, and others that the central govt is providing sufficient funds to Himachal, the industries minister clarified that if Himachal is getting funds under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, or MGNREGA, it is the right of the state. "It is not the case that Himachal started getting these funds only when the BJP came to power in the Centre. Himachal used to get the same funds even when the previous govt was at the Centre as per the set pattern," he added. The minister, however, accused the central govt of not releasing funds to the state govt, especially around Rs 10,000 crore under the post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA), though the state govt sent the claims to the Centre in the financial year 2023-24. He claimed that the central govt is indirectly benefiting other states ruled by the BJP or its allies. Chauhan questioned the BJP leadership in Himachal about whether they got any funds or schemes sanctioned for the hill state other than what the state is getting under the existing schemes. The cabinet minister also held former chief minister and current leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur, as well as the previous BJP govt, responsible for putting Himachal into a financial mess and a vicious cycle of loans. MSID:: 121728401 413 |
