Akela
THE Indian Education Society’s (IES) School; Bhandup (east) may face action after nine months of its demolition order. The school was founded in 1986 on BMC land, reserved for playground.
The controversy started in 2011. Pramila Pawar, a resident of Datar colony, Bhandup (East), near IES School was constructing toilets in her own land. Suddenly, on February 18, 2011, officials of S-ward, BMC appeared there and demolished the toilets, without prior notice, in police protection. Pramila demanded information through Right to Information (RTI) about demolition. She was shocked to see the RTI reply, that IES school management has complained against toilet and only a day before i.e. February 17, 2011, BMC demolished the toilet.
Not only this IES school management constructed boundary wall in-front of Pramila’s home and encroached 1500 Sq. meter land, extra and constructed play garden for school children.
Not enough, BMC also issued demolition notice under section 351 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act for her residence. However, when Pramila produced all relevant documents BMC cancelled the demolition.
The harassed Pramila demanded school’s documents through RTI and was again shocked to see that school was totally illegal. The building proposal department in BMC claimed that there is no building structure on the said land. The plot (CTS 695 and 696) is reserved for a municipality school and a playground. Document (copy available with ABI) clearly says that no permission has been granted to construct any building on the plot. Now plot is in open situation.
It’s also learnt that the school submitted forged development plan to BMC.
Since then Pramila was running from pillar to post to demolish the illegal school. She made several complaints (copy available with ABI) against illegal school but as BMC officials who are infamous for corruption tried to save the school.
Pramila met the BMC commissioner, Sitaram Kunte with all relevant documents. On May 27, 2013 on instructions of Kunte BMC issued notice to the school to submit all relevant documents in seven days but the school failed to produce any documents.
Following on October 26, 2013 BMC issued demolition notice in the name of the school. As per rule after issuing notice BMC has rights to demolish the illegal construction in eight days. But nothing happened.
“The BMC officials are hand in glove with the school authorities and they are delaying action,” alleged Pramila.
Now Pramila has obtained new documents stating that, the BMC has planned to demolish the school on July 5, 2014.
Officials Speak
“School is not illegal. School has all the relevant documents,” said Prashant Gaikwad, officer S-ward BMC.