Illegal constructions in Mumbai: Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar asks govt to submit report
The directive came in response to a question raised by BJP MLA Parag Alvani, who sought accountability regarding unauthorised construction on a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plot in Vile Parle (East).
Responding during the Question Hour, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured the House that stern action would be initiated against erring officials, including assistant municipal commissioners, if found shielding illegal constructions.
He said instructions would be issued to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to prepare a category-wise list of unauthorised structures in the city and take necessary action.
'The government will not support any illegal construction. If officials are found protecting such structures, strict action will be taken against them,' Shinde said.
The Deputy CM further clarified that while several illegal structures in the Vasai-Virar region have already been demolished, some remain due to stay orders from the courts. 'Those too will be removed as soon as the legal restrictions are lifted,' he said.
Shinde, however, noted that immediate action at some locations during the monsoon may not be feasible, as residents are currently occupying these structures. 'After monsoon, we will take steps to remove even those constructions,' he added.
Referring to the case flagged by Alvani, Shinde informed the House that unauthorised sheds had been erected on BMC-owned plot number 256 in Vile Parle East. The civic body demolished the sheds on March 24, 2025. A subsequent complaint regarding illegal parking on the same plot led to further action, and the encroachments were cleared on June 3, 2025.
Several legislators, including Yogesh Sagar, Jitendra Awhad, Dilip Walse Patil, Varun Sardesai, Murji Patel, Ajay Choudhari, and Bala Nandgaonkar, raised supplementary questions over the issue.
Minister of State for Urban Development Sandhya Misal informed the House that action against illegal constructions is being taken under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act.
She urged MLAs to report instances from their constituencies, assuring that departmental action would follow and concerned officials would be held accountable.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
23 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Anti-sacrilege bill will deter future desecration of scriptures: Punjab CM
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said the Anti-sacrilege Bill will ensure that no such heinous crime takes place in the future by making provision of the sternest punishment against culprits. Mann stated this while participating in a debate on the 'Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill 2025' on the concluding day of the Special Session of the Punjab Assembly here. The House on Tuesday decided to refer the Bill, which was introduced on Monday, to a Select Committee of the Assembly for seeking views of all stakeholders. Mann said the Guru Granth Sahib is the living Guru, who is highly revered by one and all across the globe. He said the 'Guru Granth Sahib' is a lighthouse of peace and tranquility for the entire mankind, and the Punjab government is "fully alive" to the deep emotional hurt caused by the incidents of sacrilege against the holy 'granths' in the past. He said it is unfortunate that some forces had even gone to an extent of committing the most heinous sin against mankind through desecration of the 'Guru Granth Sahib', a holy book revered by the Sikh community. Mann said the 'Guru Granth Sahib' is an eternal Guru for mankind and no one could ever tolerate the dastardly act of sacrilege. Likewise, he said the 'Bhagavad Gita', 'Quran', 'Bible' and other 'granths' are also respected by humanity for showing a way of life to them. Mann said every devout Sikh is deeply connected with the 'Shabad Guru' - in the form of the 'Guru Granth Sahib' and Gurmukhi, which means originating from the mouth of Guru. Mann said the sacrilege incidents had bruised the psyche of every Punjabi in general and every Sikh in particular. In the absence of harsh punishment against this "unpardonable crime", there was no end to these incidents due to which the Bill was necessitated, he said. According to the Bill, any person found guilty of sacrilege may face imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life. The guilty shall also be liable to pay a fine of Rs 5 lakh, which may extend up to Rs 10 lakh. Those attempting to commit the offence may be sentenced to three to five years and shall also be liable to pay a fine which may extend up to Rs 3 lakh, as per the Bill. Individuals found abetting the crime will be punished in accordance with the offence committed. Under the Bill, offence means any sacrilege, damage, destruction, defacing, disfiguring, de-colouring, de-filling, decomposing, burning, breaking or tearing of any holy scripture or part thereof.
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
BJP ally TDP seeks clarity on SIR, says exercise shouldn't link to citizenship or burden voters
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: Taking a contrarian view on the Special Intensive Revision ( SIR ) of electoral roll , key NDA ally Telugu Desam Party ( TDP ) said the purpose of the exercise should be clearly defined and delinked from citizenship verification , wrapped up at least six months before elections and the burden of proof should not be on the a four-page representation submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday, TDP sought clarity on the SIR's purpose -- a move seen as a guarded way of questioning the on-going exercise in openly criticising SIR, TDP has made four submissions which are against the current approach of ECI. TDP, whose 16 MPs provide crucial support to BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, has sought clarity on the "scope of SIR" and wants it to be completely delinked from the citizenship question. "The purpose of SIR must be clearly defined and limited to electoral roll correction and inclusion. It should be explicitly communicated that the exercise is not related to citizenship verification, and any field instructions must reflect this distinction," reads the TDP representation. It said adequate time should be given for such an exercise and it should take place "ideally not within six months of any major election". This is contrary to what is underway in Bihar, where a new assembly will be in place by November-end and SIR is underway with elections just three months documentation, TDP stated, "Voters who are already enrolled in the most recent certified electoral roll should not be required to re-establish their eligibility unless specific and verifiable reasons are recorded." TDP has sought to make a distinction between intensive roll revision and electoral roll revision and suggested that the last electoral roll revision be made the base year. This means that for Bihar it should be the electoral roll revision of January 2025 which should be the base year, not 2003. It cited a Supreme Court judgement in Lal Babu Hussein vs Electoral Registration Officer to say "prior inclusion created a presumption of validity and any deletion must be preceded by a valid inquiry."In the Bihar SIR, the ECI sought proof and asked voters to fill a form to ensure inclusion. However, TDP representation said: "The burden of proof lies with ERO or objector, not the voter, especially when the name exists on the official roll".
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
In Maharashtra legislative council, BJP and Shiv Sena tussle over unauthorised constructions in Ratnagiri district
Mumbai: In a clear tussle between Mahayuti alliance partners BJP and Shiv Sena, Pravin Darekar, the BJP group leader in the legislative council, raised the issue of unauthorised constructions at various places in Ratnagiri district. Industries minister Uday Samant of Shiv Sena is the MLA from Ratnagiri and also the district guardian minister. Darekar, through a calling attention motion, pointed to large-scale unauthorised constructions in the vicinity of the watchtower built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the southern foothills of Ratnadurg Fort in Ratnagiri. He further alleged that the municipal corporation constructed a public toilet on the road leading to the tower for the convenience of 'encroachers', thereby defiling this historical area. "Local politicians and public representatives are encouraging these encroachments, while the Ratnagiri Municipal Corporation administration has not taken any action," he said. Darekar further stated that in the Rajapur Municipal Corporation area, a 150-year-old ancient Sun temple exists, which was built in Hindu architectural style during the Satvahan dynasty. "Unauthorised multi-storied construction has taken place on the temple premises with the Rajapur Municipal Corporation failing to take any action," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo In Khed city, an unauthorised Muslim Community Center and mosque have been constructed at Gulmohar Park without obtaining permission from the municipal corporation or home department, he added. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Samant firmly denied the allegations. "I have spoken to officials and archaeological experts. No Sun temple exists in the area, nor is there any community centre. So there is no question of deleting the community centre," he said. As both Darekar and Samant stood firm on their respective stances, BJP MLC Prasad Lad tried to intervene, suggesting Samant inform when the Development Plan would be ready and order an inquiry into the illegal constructions. Samant, however, said the Development Plan was currently under preparation and no time frame could be set. He also refused to order an inquiry.
