Friday, January 13 2006 10:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Coming down heavily on Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) for laxity in implementation of judicial order to demolish 855 illegal structures in the town, the Bombay High court yesterday (Jan 12, 2006) directed Maharashtra government to ensure 'effective' and 'speedy' demolition.

Justice R M Lodha and Justice A V Mohta directed the Principal Secretary of Urban Development Department of Mahararshtra government to personally monitor and ensure effective implementation of court order.

The court also asked the Principal Secretary to submit a status report on the demolition work by January 24 and made it clear that he would be made personally responsible for implementation of high court order.

Meanwhile, the state cabinet which met here did not discuss the ordinance proposed to be promulgated for legalising the unauthorised structures in Ulhasnagar.

Governor S M Krishna had on January 9 raised some queries regarding the ordinance. The state government had on January 10 sent reply to the queries, sources said.

Earlier, the court after going through affidavit filed by UMC, expressed displeasure over the slow progress of the demolition work.

The court also directed Principal Secretary to submit the report of Nandlal Committee, appointed to study the illegal structures in Ulhasnagar, along with the action taken based on report. If action has not been initiated as recommended by the Committee report, the court said the state government should also specify the reasons behind it. The Principal Secretary should also submit the copy of enquiry report by Director General (Anti-Corruption Bureau) related to Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation as referred in the Nandlal Committee, the court said. The bench asked UMC to furnish information on status of he 140 plots in its jurisdiction for public purposes and encroached as per the committee report.

The court also asked the Principal Secretary (Urban Development) and Ulhasnagar Municipal Commissioner to personally present during next hearing of case on January 25.

Meanwhile, the court also dismissed the application by residents of a seven-storey building, Rahul Palace, who had sought stay on the demolition of the building and imposed a cost of Rs 5000 on the applicant.