Navi Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has issued show-cause notices to 295 responsible persons and officers under whose tenure massive illegal constructions flourished. They include incumbent, transferred and retired 10 deputy municipal commissioners (DMC), 91 assistant municipal commissioners (AMC), 75 junior engineers and 119 other clerical staffers of the encroachment section in terms of their tenure, reports Umesh K Parida. Meanwhile, Cidco has been made a party for proper adjudication of the matter, but not as a contemnor. This was learnt from the affidavit filed by the NMMC before the Bombay High Court. The HC bench comprising two judges is hearing a contempt petition filed by advocate Kishor Shetty. Explanations were sought within 8 days from these staffers, including those posted across the 8 ward offices. The 661-page affidavit twice names the anti-corruption bureau trapped doctor turned DMC, a doctor deputed as DMC and currently serving as an additional municipal commissioner in charge, and another doctor earlier posted as AMC but now a DMC. The notices were served to 17 AMCs under Nerul ward, Ghansoli-14, Airoli-13, Vashi-12, Belapur-10, Turbhe-9, Digha -9, and Koparkhairane-7. Among the junior engineers, Belapur ward has 18, Airoli-12, Turbhe-9, Koparkhairane-8, Nerul-8, Vashi-7, Ghansoli-7 and Digha-6. The commissioner has assured the HC bench, mentioning, “… I say that upon receipt of their explanations, further necessary disciplinary actions will be initiated against the concerned individuals in accordance with the law.” Between June 16 and July 6, the civic body had razed 30 out of 4,946 unauthorised structures. The affidavit specifically mentions that the eight wards include 29 gaonthans (villages). These villages have 3,342 unauthorised structures. Also, there are 1,604 structures within the low-income group colonies and societies. However, Belapur MLA Manda Mhatre has raised the issue of these structures in the state assembly, echoing growing concern among the native villagers. These houses have been there for the last 50-60 years. Such a large number of unauthorised persons would not have come up had the Cidco provided 12.5% benefits to the project affected persons in time.
