Can’t waive fine, but can lower it, says BMC

Trouble surrounding Sachin Tendulkar’s move to his new home in Bandra (West) has still not abated.

Trouble surrounding Sachin Tendulkar’s move to his new home in Bandra (West) has still not abated.

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Even though the Shiv Sena wants to exempt the master blaster from the proposed penalty of Rs 4.75 lakh, for occupying his bungalow without obtaining an occupation certificate (OC), sources in the civic body said that the civic administration is not keen on waiving off the penalty, but can reduce the amount.

Following instructions from Naseem Khan, guardian minister of the suburbs, the civic body is considering minimising the penalty, but is helpless with regard to waiving it off.

“We cannot completely wave off the penalty. At the most, it can be minimised,” said a senior civic official. Sachin is yet to submit no objection certificates (NOC) from garden department and storm water drain department before obtaining OC.

Mayor Shraddha Jadhav said, “There are many buildings in the city occupied by citizens for years, without required documents. Sachin is the pride of our nation and the BMC should not penalise him.”

On Wednesday, after performing a puja, Sachin had shifted to his newly built five-storey bungalow on Perry Cross Road, along with family.