Fallout of RTI activist murder ? - To keep out squatters, new rulebook for BMC officials

Times of India‎‎‎‎‎: Mumbai: Monday, October 31, 2016.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday brought out guidelines for its officials on how action is to be taken.

These guidelines assume significance in the wake of the recent killing of anti-encroachment activist, Bhupendra Vira, who was murdered for allegedly exposing encroachments by a former corporator and his son.

The guidelines, which aim to stave off such incidents, have multi-level checks to keep out encroachments. The guidelines state that a designated officer in every civic ward will have to check on illegal constructions in that ward. If this officer fails to do so, the assistant municipal commissioner of the ward is expected to act against him. If this officer fails to take action, the deputy municipal commissioner of the zone will be expected to take action against him.

A civic official said that the reason for these guidelines is that notices are often issued for unauthorized constructions, but no subsequent action is taken despite a 30day time frame being given for the same. "It has been laid down that every complaint and its action progress must be recorded in the computer and in a register. The assistant commissioner concerned will be expected to submit a report of illegal construction to the zonal deputy municipal commissioner on a monthly basis," said the official.