Download word file of below letter: http://tinyurl.com/CMletter4
To
Shri Prithviraj Chavan,
Chief Minister of Maharashtra,
Mantralaya, 6th Floor,
Madame Cama Road,
Mumbai 400032
Don't regularize construction of unauthorized floors;
Builders pass on cost of penalty to flat purchasers,
and enjoy undue profits
Sir,
We feel betrayed that Maharashtra Government has once again acted in favour of corrupt builders. Following your meeting with builders, Mumbai's Municipal Corporation issued a circular stating that illegal floors would be regularized and not demolished. For this bad decision, we hold you responsible.
Imposing greater penalties for regularizing buildings is not a deterrent. Everybody knows that builders recover penalty amounts by routinely raising the flat prices. The sufferers are flat purchasers and law-abiding citizens; the builders are profiteering by destroying this city and fuelling inflation.
Builders – with the help of corporators, MLAs, MPs and senior IAS & IPS officers – are openly flouting MRTP Act, Development Control Regulations, FSI and TDR norms, etc. The state administration has been pretending ignorance and helplessness. By doing so, the administration has eroded our open spaces and our quality of life.
Law-abiding citizens and RTI activists who are continually struggling to have the laws and rules enforced feel betrayed by the state administration. Many of us are being threatened, beaten up and murdered by the builder mafia.
Sir, you recently remarked in a public meeting there was a "dirty nexus between government officials, politicians and builders in Mumbai," intending to "sell the city." Well spoken! Now please back your excellent words with action.
WE DEMAND THAT YOU BREAK THIS EVIL NEXUS BY TAKING THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
1. NO MORE REGULARIZING! DEMOLISH ALL ILLEGAL STRUCTURES: Please announce a policy to demolish every single unauthorized and illegal structure built after 1995, regardless of whether it houses the poor or the rich. Stop regularizing structures.
2. COMMENCE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OF BUILDERS AND THEIR ABETTORS: Please send a signal by arresting the top names among builders and developers who have been flouting laws for decades and getting away scot-free. Prosecute politicians, as well as and police and government officials who have abetted and protect such activities. There is ample documentary evidence of many such crimes; RTI activists will be happy to provide you such evidence in plenty if you set up a panel for receiving such documents.
3. REQUIRE STRICT SUO MOTO DISCLOSURE BY ALL CONCERNED DEPARTMENTS: Ensure that RTI section 4(1)(b) is scrupulously implemented by all the departments of State Govt. and Municipal Corporation, including Urban Development Dept., Revenue Dept, MMRDA, MHADA, Building Proposal, Building & Factories, Chief Fire Officer, etc. Issue strict instructions that without fail, they must put up on their websites within 15 days all fresh land conversions, all project proposals, applications for permissions & NOCs, permissions granted, plans approved, commencement certificates, occupation certificates, waivers, all related correspondence. Announce strict punishments for non-compliance, and set up a mechanism to monitor compliance and recommend punishments.
We urge you to take immediate action in this regard. Stop worrying about hurting the "sentiments" of the building industry. High economic growth figures, which come from the growth of builders, companies and high-net-worth individuals, have no value to the common man whose quality of life is fast deteriorating. Please uphold Rule of Law, because that is your basic function as head of the State Government.
Yours Sincerely,
(Your signature, name, address, phone number)
Copy to:
Subodh Kumar, Municipal Commissioner Greater Mumbai, MCGM office, Mahanagarpalika Marg, Mumbai.
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