Apathy builds encroachments 8212; Gokhale

MUMBAI, JUNE 1: Outgoing civic commissioner Girish Gokhale revealed the secret behind the mushrooming of unauthorised constructions in Mu...

MUMBAI, JUNE 1: Outgoing civic commissioner Girish Gokhale revealed the secret behind the mushrooming of unauthorised constructions in Mumbai: public apathy8217;. 8220;It8217;s a racket. Be it the civic authorities, police, goondas or those who require their services, all have a hand in supporting them,8221; said Gokhale in his valedictory press meet held on Monday. 8220;Very few complain, others fearing goondas do not come ahead. People should come forward as a group, especially the youth,8221; Gokhale suggested.

Recalling a youth group from Goregaon who, when he was Assistant Municipal Commissioner, had worked as a watchdog to check illegal constructions, Gokhale said, 8220;I admired their enthusiasm and perseverance. They saw to it that the ward office staff came along and demolished the structures.8221;

According to Gokhale, those whose structures were being demolished didn8217;t approach the courts for a stay on their own volition unless the BMC staff advised them to. 8220;Unless we give a notice, how can anyone go tocourt? When I8217;ve asked judges at private gatherings why judgments in such cases go against the BMC, I8217;ve been told that the law depends on arguments, and that civic counsels do not forcefully argue even when leading questions are posed to them,8221; he informed.

Speaking on the Mayor-in-Council, Gokhale said he8217;d opposed it as 8220;The mayor is elected by the people, and isn8217;t a political appointee. In the old system we have restored, there are provisions for checks and balances. But I co-operated with the system once it was implemented. When I suggested means for a one-stroke increase in revenue, MiC members got worried about voter behaviour,8221; stated Gokhale.

Gokhale also claimed that he had never faced severe pressure. 8220;Whenever that happened, I told the Chief Minister that the matter did not fit with the rules. There has been much talk of Matoshree calling for files. but not a single file has ever been summoned by Bal Thackeray, Uddhav or Raj,8221; he claimed.

Gokhale will now be shifting to Nashik, and iskeen on pursuing hobbies like gliding, swimming, tennis and reading. 8220;The last thing one should do is write an autobiography. I have no anger or misgivings and am going to live a life I like,8221; he stated.