Press Trust Of India
THE BOMBAY High Court on Friday came down heavily on the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) for turning a blind eye towards increasing number of illegal constructions in that area.
A division bench of Justices N H Patil and V L Achliya was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by one Ravi Talreja alleging rampant corruption prevaling in the UMC while sanctioning 110 building proposals illegally in 2010.
“It is difficult to believe that unauthorized construction can be carried out without civic officials having knowledge of the same,” the court said. The bench was irked to note that several plots reserved for playgrounds, recreation grounds and schools have been encroached upon. “The playgrounds and open spaces are lungs of the cities, you cannot allow those to be choked,” the court said.
The court was earlier informed by additional public prosecutor Aruna Kamat-Pai that an inquiry had been conducted by the state government and action has been initiated against the then town planner A P Gurgule and inquiry against three junior engineers was recommended. The petitioner alleged that though departmental enquiry was initiated against all the errant officials no further action has been taken.
The court today asked the Ulhasnagar municipal commissioner to look into the issue and ensure that the enquiry is completed at the earliest.