“I am already a part of more than 100 committees as a member, chairman or head,” Joseph said in his affidavit dated March 3.
Chief secretary Johny Joseph, in an affidavit submitted to the Bombay High court on Wednesday, stated that he is a member of over 100 committees and, with the elections approaching, his responsibilities have multiplied.
In a PIL against illegal constructions in Thane, mainly the Vasai-Virar belt, the HC had, on January 28, appointed a committee presided over by Joseph that would have to list the steps to be taken for the removal of over 5 lakh illegal constructions and submit a report in six months.
“I am already a part of more than 100 committees as a member, chairman or head,” Joseph said in his affidavit dated March 3, and added, “The announcement of general elections at the Lok Sabha has increased my responsibilities to a considerable extent.”
Joseph, in his affidavit, urged the court to set up the committee under the principal secretary (urban development), TC Benjamin.
“Keeping in view the magnitude of the problem at hand and the time required to be devoted to this work by the head of the committee, it would be administratively more expedient, if the court kindly permits to set up this committee under the chairmanship of principal secretary, urban development department,” Joseph said.
He also stated that the government will set up civic policemen and special police stations for offences like unauthorised constructions and encroachments. He added that the government had also taken a decision to set up special courts for trial of offences under the civic laws and the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP) Act, 1966.
He added that the government had decided to table a bill before the legislature for amending certain provisions of the civic laws and the MRTP Act to make offences of illegal constructions a cognisable offence.
“The state feels that these amendments would make the administrative machinery more accountable which would bolster administrative action against encroachments and illegal construction,” Joseph added.
Uday Warunjikar, advocate for Harit Vasai Sanrakshan Samitee, one of the petitioners, said, “The decision to set up civic police and special police stations will be a milestone in this cause.”
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