Politicos face civic music for illegal add-ons to Worli bldgs

Maharashtra’s top politicians will face civic action for carrying out unauthorised additions and alterations in the multi-storeyed Shubhada and Sukhada cooperative housing societies (pictured) in Worli.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in April 2013 issued notices to deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, BJP leader Gopinath Munde, Punjab governor Shivraj Patil Chakurkar, Maharashtra state Congress president Manikrao Thakre, and ministers Patangrao Kadam and Anil Deshmukh under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, following complaints from RTI activist Amit Maru.

A civic official said, “These politicians are accused of converting shops allotted to them into offices and even gymnasiums.”

Municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte gave both societies 90 days to either regularise or remove the unauthorised constructions. “But they failed to comply with it. They sought more time but it was refused,” the official said. “Gopinath Munde has removed his office and submitted a proposal to set up a clinic for his daughter. Work is on to restore the shops belonging to Ajit Pawar to original plans.”

According to a letter sent to the societies, the civic body did not find any of the shops rectified/restored during an inspection on August 30. So, the G-South ward officials have been directed to take necessary action.

An official from the ward said they would first seek the plans of these shops from the building proposal department. “Once we get the plans, we will inspect the site and then decide on the next course of action.”

Abha Singh, the lawyer who is following up on the matter, said, “Lawmakers are the law-breakers in this case and the civic body must ensure that they fall in line and remove the unauthorised additions and alterations.”

Ranjit Deshmukh, Congress leader and chairman of Shubhada society, said he has restored his shop to its original plan.