Bill to grant eviction powers to civic chief

REDEVPT OF CIVIC PROPERTY

Mumbai: The state government is all set to introduce a new bill that could influence redevelopmentof civic properties in Mumbai. 

    A bill granting rights to the municipal commissioner to forcibly evict persons occupying properties earmarked for redevelopment or repairs is likely to be introduced during the winter session of the state assembly, which begins on December 12. 
    According to the provisions of the bill, initiated by the state urban development (UD) department, the municipal commissioner (or his representative) will be permitted tocarry outforcibleeviction of persons occupying such properties after service a notice on them. 
    It states that the commissioner will have to right to serve eviction notice on individuals occupying properties which are required to be demolished or earmarked by corporation for special repairs or reconstruction or a redevelopment scheme. A show-cause noticewillbeservedon an individual who does not evict the premises within 15 days of the first notice being served. The commissioner (or his representative) will have the right to carry outforcibleeviction if an individual does not respond to the show-cause notice within 15 days. 
    Amendments will be introduced in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act and the Bombay Provisional Municipal Corporation Act (which is now being referred to the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act) to enable the provisions. 
    UD department officials said that existing provisions regarding such powers are vague. The movecould influence redevelopment of several civic properties in Mumbai. The BMC is among the biggest landlords in the city. Many of its properties arelargetractsof land situated in prime areas.