Mumbai: In an effort to curb illegal
constructions and encroachments in cities and towns,
Maharashtra Government Saturday announced the formation of civil
police force which will work under the jurisdiction of the
respective municipal limits.
Replying to a debate on bill to amend various acts
concerning Municipal corporations and councils in the state,
minister of state for housing Sachin Ahir said the civil
police force will be raised by the respective municipal
bodies.
"Senior police officers of the level of DCP or ACP
will be sent on deputation to the civil police force for
monitoring," he said.
Government will give permission for constructing
police stations and the Corporations and councils will carry
the construction work on their own, Ahir said.
Similarly, separate courts will be set up to conduct
trials of encroachment and illegal construction cases, he
said, adding notice issued by the civic bodies against illegal
construction?can be challenged only in the High Court.
Appointing a designated officer will be mandatory for
the civic bodies. The officer will be held responsible for any
encroachment or illegal construction. If he fails in
controlling it, he will be liable for three months of
imprisonment, Ahir said.
Similarly, even CIDCO and MHADA will have to appoint
such designated officer, he said.
PTI
