Finally, BBMP to act against building plan violations

 As a result of the ongoing tussle between the BBMP and the BMTF (Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force), the Palike Engineering department has now decided to issue notices to property owners for building plan violations.

Complaints filed with the BMTF by citizens alleging collusion between engineers and property owners, have led the Palike engineering department to issue 125 notices to errant property owners.

According to sources, the Engineering department, plagued by political pressure not to issue notices, has finally decided to proceed after the Central Administrative Tribunal granted a stay order in favour of the BMTF chief, R P Sharma on Thursday.

“The department does not want to take any chances with the possibility of the BMTF chief taking action against engineers named in the FIR for dereliction of duty. So, these notices will be issued in the next two days,” an official said.

The Engineering department has also made its intentions clear to go ahead with the demolition of such properties after issuing notices to owners.

As many as 130 FIRs were lodged against engineers in various zones of the Palike after several complaints were filed with the BMTF by concerned citizens and neighbours of the property owners.

The Palike Engineering department, which has blamed the BMTF for its ‘overzealous’ action, is at the centre of the storm. A recent strike by Palike staff, including the Engineering department, had demanded that Sharma be removed from his post as Additional Director General of Police of the BMTF.