It's BMC's job to remove illegal buildings on its land: CM

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, in a written reply on Tuesday, categorically stated that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is solely responsible for removing illegal structures on its land.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, in a written reply on Tuesday, categorically stated that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is solely responsible for removing illegal structures on its land. The CM also made it clear to the legislative assembly that government departments such as forest and revenue departments are responsible for their land.

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Chavan was responding to Shiv Sena legislators Vinod Ghosalkar and Ravindra Waikar, who wanted to know whether the state government had decided to suspend ward officers (assistant municipal commissioners) for allowing illegal structures in their jurisdiction. Replying in the negative, the CM said the BMC was allowed to take action under the Mumbai Corporation Act, 1988.

He said the municipal law is very clear and states that officers must be tried and punished if they neglect their duty. "If found guilty, an empowered officer can be jailed for three months and a penalty of Rs20,000 can be imposed," Chavan said, adding that assistance commissioners are empowered officers when it comes to demolishing illegal structures.

The BMC had removed 59,808 encroachments and demolished illegal constructions in the city from 2010 to 2012.