Maha govt to formulate law to prevent illegal encroachments

The housing department was drafting the new law, which if possible would be tabled in the ongoing budget session of the state legislature, Patil added.

Officials of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), housing department and Maharahstra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) would be held responsible if any illegal encroachment come up in their jurisdiction, he said.

At the same time the government would issue photo-passes within two and a half months to the residents of slums, which have come up before January one 1995. The housing department would soon undertake a survey of the slums in the metropolis. About 40,000 employees of the department would be engaged in the work, minister of state for housing Nawab Malik replied to a supplementary.

Police officials, under whose jurisdiction illegal encroachments come up, would also be held responsible, Patil said adding that strict orders have been issued to officials and ministers not to grant stay on demolition work of illegal slums.

"Under no circumstances such a stay will be granted henceforth," he said adding that the government was very serious in the matter. The government, however, was committed to protect all slums set up before January 1, 1995, which have been regularised, he said.

After conducting the survey, all illegal encroachments would be demolished, the Minister informed the upper house.