NMMC issues notices to buildings without OC

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) is issuing notices to housing societies without Occupation Certificates (OC), setting off panic among the residents. The corporation's initiative, which is being carried across the satellite city, is creating a flutter among the residents and the timing of the drive bang ahead of the elections is being viewed with suspicion by certain quarters.

Taking up the issue, Navi Mumbai Shiv Sena has accused that the civic administration is hand-in-glove with the ruling party and serving notices to residents during election code of conduct period asking to present OCs. Navi Mumbai district Shiv Sena chief Vijay Chauguley, during a media briefing on Saturday, accused NMMC and ruling NCP of trying to "pressurise" people of the satellite city by serving such notices.

"We are going to raise this matter with NMMC commissioner Abasaheb Jarhad during a meeting scheduled on Tuesday. We will also discuss the same with returning officer for Thane and also with commissioner. The election commission too will be informed about the same. If necessary we will also go to the court to get justice to residents of satellite city who have started getting notices," Chauguley informed reporters.

He added, "People submitted plan to NMMC and got commencement certificate. They constructed their homes 10-15 years back and have been staying there since then. Not only this, in 2010 some residents wrote to NMMC to regularise changes in structures but the civic body did not respond then. What we are questioning is the timing of sending notices. This is nothing but a ploy by ruling party so that people go to them with a request to regularise their homes and then they can assure them that if you vote for us your homes will be regularised." 

The Sena leader said, "The administration has sent 400 notices so far, and from the information we have, around 12,000 notices are likely to be dispatched." 

On issue of cluster development, Chauguley said, "We have been opposing blanket policy for cluster development in satellite city. Some villages too are opposing cluster development and sending notices for OC is nothing but a ploy to pressurise such villages to go in for cluster development."

Chauguley warned that Sena will take up the cause of residents and will hit the streets.

NMMC says
NMMC has made it clear that whatever they are doing is within the framework of law and there is no discrimination between ruling party and opposition party. "We are working as per legal provisions. When you have obtained CC to start construction work it is you duty to obtain OC. The town planning department does not discriminate between ruling party and opposition party members. Also, it is a routine process and there is no issue of violating model code of conduct," said municipal commissioner Abasaheb Jarhad. He added, "Residents must have submitted a request to regularise their changed structures but there is a process to be followed for that. It is the right of NMMC and Cidco too is involved in the process.