Bhopal. The state government is going to adopt a strict stance to stop the rapidly growing illegal colonies in Madhya Pradesh. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, a draft of amendment to the Urban Areas (Colony Development) Act-2021 is being prepared. Under the proposed changes, there is a preparation to increase the penalties and fines against illegal colonizers manifold. In this, on receiving complaints about illegal colonies, there is a provision of filing FIR within 90 days, maximum punishment up to 10 years and a fine of Rs 1 crore.
However, a decision has to be taken on whether the new law will apply to old colonies or new colonies. On Saturday, Additional Chief Secretary of the department Sanjay Dubey will hold a review meeting of the revised draft with officials of the Urban Development and Housing Department. On Friday, in response to MLA Reeti Pathak’s question regarding illegal colonies, Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said in the Assembly that now strict law will be implemented on illegal colonies and swift action will be taken against the culprits. He said that strict rules will be implemented in the state within three months.
According to the information, according to the new proposed provision, if a complaint is received in the police station regarding an illegal colony, then it will be mandatory to file an FIR within 90 days. There is also a provision for action against police officers who do not follow the time limit. The objective of the Government is to ensure that by keeping the complaints pending, relief is not available to the culprits. However, it is still proposed.
Let us tell you, according to statistics, despite receiving thousands of complaints against illegal colonies till now, FIR has been registered in very few cases. In view of the slow pace of action, a need has been felt to fix accountability.
According to the information, in the current law, there is a provision of punishment of three to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh for developing an illegal colony. After the amendment, there is a preparation to increase it to a maximum punishment of 10 years and a financial penalty of up to Rs 1 crore. This will send a strong message to those doing illegal plotting and cutting colonies without permission.
In the new law, not only the colonizers but also the negligent officers will be tightened. It has been provisioned in the proposed law that officials of the administrative or municipal body who do not take action despite receiving the complaint will be punished if found guilty. This includes the provision of imprisonment up to one year and financial penalty.
Let us tell you, there are more than four thousand illegal colonies in the state. There is lack of basic facilities like roads, sewerage, drinking water in these colonies. The government has received more than 5 thousand complaints related to this. FIR has also been registered against more than 600 of these.
