Anti-encroachment drive: NMC to impound, auction material of encroachers
21 Jan 2020 10:28:49
Staff Reporter :
To tackle the menace of encroachment on footpaths, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to seize the material in case of repeat offence and then auction the same. A committee constituted by Mayor Sandip Joshi has revised the procedure for anti-encroachment drive. The committee chaired by Dayashankar Tiwari, senior corporator, submitted its recommendations to Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). For encroachments on footpath, NMC should impose fine of Rs. 1,000 for first time the material is seized.
The second time if material is seized the fine should be raised to Rs. 3,000, but if anti-encroachment squad seizes the material for the third time then NMC would confiscate the same and auction it. Shops: For the shops who encroach upon footpath by using the same for displaying material of placing mannequins, the first offence would ensure fine of Rs. 5,000. Also the shopkeeper would have to submit an affidavit on stamp paper of Rs. 100 that henceforth they would not encroach on public place. Similarly, NMC should also take slip about payment of property tax from the shopkeeper. However in case of repeat offence then the seized property should not be returned to shopkeeper.
The Committee has drafted an affidavit for the purpose. NMC Lease holders: In case of encroachment at NMC lease spaces in first offence the fine of Rs. 5,000 be imposed and direct him to pay shop rent and release the seized material. For repeat offence though, NMC should cancel the lease of shop so that it can act as deterrent. Building Material: For building material found lying on carriageway the fine would be of Rs. 5,000 in first offence, increased to Rs. 10,000 during second time and if found third time then the dues be added to property tax after issuing the notice.
The Committee also directed seizing of pushcarts parked by road side during night time and for it a night squad should be constituted. Also weekly market at adhoc places should be prevented to prevent jams on roads and inconvenience to passers-by. Due to weekly markets there is jump in mishaps and a category of such markets would be done, it was decided. NMC should also provide space to city police for dumping the seized vehicles. At many places, scrapped vehicles are unnecessary blocking the public places and same should be seized. The anti-encroachment squad should videograph the drive against encroachment. The Committee also said no vehicle be allowed to be parked on NMC school ground or sports ground and if found parked then they be impounded.
There should be zone wise anti-encroachment squad so that it can act as deterrent to encroachers. Encroachments on sewage lines, civic body should invoke its power under secs. 303, 304, 186 of Maharashtra Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act and constructions done on Conservancy lanes should be removed. Impound Stray Vehicles: Another issue that the Committee discussed in illegally parked vehicles in and around Mayo Hospital, in Mominpura, Railway Feeder Road, near Haj House, Daga Hospital and clear the road of encroachments.
City police should impound such vehicles under sec. 286 of IPC and help NMC. Hawkers Zone: Hawkers zone time should be notified between 7 to 10.30 am and 8 to 11 pm as it would balance the needs of both, ensure that shopkeepers do not face trouble and hawkers too can run their business easily. Hawker markets be developed in open places in all the 10 Zones of NMC and must ensure that it does not block footpaths, main carriageway. A separate squad should be raised for removing encroachment on sewage line and conservancy lanes.
The other members of the committee are Tanaji Wanwe, Leader of Opposition, corporators Vaishali Narnaware, Duneshwar Pethe and Aabha Pande, Ashok Patil, Assistant Commissioner, Enforcement Department, Raju Bhiwgade, Mahesh Dhamecha, both Zonal Assistant Commissioners, and Venkatesh Kaple, Legal Officer. The Committee came into being after Mayor took cognisance of complaints received from citizens during his contact programme. People said that it has become difficult to walk on footpaths as same are encroached upon 24x7 and said their complaint to NMC officials has not ensured any action. Also the carriageway are often blocked by pushcarts and vehicles that cause inconvenience to citizens. Hence Mayor Sandip Joshi constituted a committee to come out with concrete suggestions to ensure that anti-encroachment drive can become effective.