Nagpur civic body levying residential property tax on coaching class for 18 years
Though a notice was issued to the coaching class three years ago for using residential flats, the civic body is levying residential property tax and has neglected penal property tax.Anjaya Anparthi | TNN | May 27, 2019, 14:00 IST

NAGPUR: In what can be termed as nothing less than an irregularity, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is levying property tax as per residential rate instead of commercial rate on a coaching class for the last 18 years.

The institute is situated right in front of the NMC Laxmi Nagar zone office. Though a notice was issued to the coaching class three years ago for using residential flats, the civic body is levying residential property tax and has neglected penal property tax.

TOI on Sunday had reported that the NMC was not taking any action against the coaching class which is operating from two residential flats at Nirmal Akash Apartments at Shraddhanand Peth Extension, Laxmi Nagar, despite regular complaints from flat owners.

A private institution had started the coaching class on the ground floor sanctioned for office, commercial shops and two flats on the first floor sanctioned for residential purpose in 2001. A few months ago, another institution took over the premises and is running the coaching class.

As per norms, the NMC is supposed to levy property tax on the coaching class as per commercial rate which is much more than the residential rate. Also, it is mandatory for the civic body to recover two times more property tax if a notice has been issued for unauthorized construction or usage.

As per information obtained from the NMC, property tax for the two flats from where the coaching class is operating is as per residential rate since 2001. Following complaints from flat owners, including Vijay Kumar Shinde, the zone office had issued notice to the coaching class on December 21, 2016. However, the property tax remained under residential category.

During the revaluation drive for all properties started in 2017, the NMC’s private agency also took pictures in which the board of the coaching class on the ground and first floor is clearly seen.

Shinde told TOI that NMC neglected his demand to levy property tax on the coaching class as per commercial rate in December last year and January this year.

He further said the NMC is now saying it cannot recover property tax as per commercial rate from 2001. “In its reply to my complaint NMC said norms do not allow recovering property tax as per commercial with retrospective effect. In this case, NMC should recover the loss from the officials concerned,” he said.

NMC assistant commissioner (property tax) Milind Meshram said he would issue directives for revaluation and take appropriate steps. “Zone office is responsible for levying tax and also for recovering two times more property tax after issuing notice for unauthorized construction or usage,” he said.

Assistant commissioner of Laxmi Nagar Zone Suvarna Dakhane said necessary action will be taken. “I was not aware of notice issued to the coaching class in 2016. I issued a notice to the coaching class immediately after receiving latest complaint,” she said.

INFO

A HUGE LOSS FOR NMC

*NMC should levy commercial property tax on coaching class

*A coaching class is running from two residential flats of Nirmal Akash Apartments in front of NMC Laxmi Nagar zone office since 2001

*Property tax is being levied as per residential category since 2001

*Flat owners lodged complaints about unauthorized usage in 2016

*NMC issued notice to coaching class in 2016 but did not revise tax

*NMC supposed to levy two times more tax after the notice, but neglected it

*Despite revaluation drive in 2017, tax category was not changed

*NMC saying it cannot recover the loss and can apply commercial rate only from now








https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/nagpur-civic-body-levying-residential-property-tax-on-coaching-class-for-18-years/69515921

NMC to charge for groundwater too
Anjaya Anparthi | TNN | Updated: Jun 5, 2019, 13:19 IST Representative Image


NAGPUR: In a bid to curb wastage of water and earn revenue too, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) proposes to charge citizens for using groundwater, on the lines of tap water.

A system to measure the groundwater usage is being prepared and the rates to apply will be finalized soon.

NMC executive engineer Shweta Banerjee, in a press conference held on Tuesday, said new bylaws will be framed to make groundwater payable. “NMC is already levying water benefit component in property tax for those who are using groundwater and not tap water. The civic body is planning to fix slabs on the lines of tap water tariff and install meter to measure groundwater use,” she said.

If implemented, this will be for the first time the citizens will be paying for groundwater. Many commercial establishments, builders, industries and few residences, especially those situated on the city’s outskirts, utilize groundwater through wells or borewells.

Chairman of water works consultative committee Vijay Zelke said target is to take action on all illegal water connections within a year. “There are around 30,000 illegal water connections. Drive has been started to either disconnect or regularize illegal water connections. As of now, 812 illegal water connections have been regularized, while 118 disconnected. We have also relaxed norms to give new water connection. Now, anyone can get connection by submitting an affidavit, copy of aadhaar and power bill,” he said.

Stressing on the need to curb use of tap water for non-potable use, Zelke said the NMC has launched Save Water Helpline (8888822700). “We urge the people to take pictures and send them on this number’s WhatsApp whenever they notice any wastage or misuse of tap water. Complaints of tap water being used for washing vehicles, construction activities, flushing sewage lines, neglecting overflow from tanks, use in bars etc will be entertained,” he said.

Banerjee said first warning will be given to those found wasting or misusing tap water followed by disconnection, penalty and FIR. “There are no legal provisions for levying penalty and FIR at present. We are planning to link nuisance detection squad with the drive to enable penalty and FIR. We will also frame bylaws in this regard soon,” she said.
Banerjee also revealed that action was taken against three builders who were using tap water in building construction. “We have no provisions to take action for using tap water in coolers, gardening etc but request the citizens to avoid the same. Water from well or borewell should be used for such purposes. The civic body also plans to supply treated sewage for construction activities, including cement road works,” she said.

Admitting the need to reduce water supply due to scarcity, Zelke said a decision in this regard will be taken in 3-4 days.

Banerjee said sewage/effluent water treatment plant has been made mandatory for 54 bulk water consumers who use over 1 lakh litres per day, including 52 government agencies and two private entities. “Reuse of water by these consumers will help conserve potable water,” she said.

Zelke said the situation on raw water front is worsening hence there need is to construct barrage on Kanhan-Kolar rivers. “Estimated cost of the barrage is around Rs500 crore and we will require funds from the government. We are also planning to take up work to lay pipeline from Pench reservoir to Kanhan water treatment plant (WTP) to curb huge loss of water,” he said.

Banerjee said the number of water tankers has increased to 342 in non-network areas and 150 in network areas.








https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/nmc-to-charge-for-groundwater-too/articleshow/69656020.cms

Cash-strapped Nagpur civic body 'forgets' to levy property tax
The panel report was tabled before management council on Monday, where it was cleared by the members and powers were entrusted with the vice chancellor SP Kane to act on its recommendations.TNN | June 07, 2019, 14:00 IST The ITAT ruling added that just because the taxman has a "hindsight" view doesn't mean that the projections were inaccurate. NAGPUR: A year after Nagpur University constituted a panel to probe a series of allegations against Sunil Mishra, its members led by retired district and additional session judge TG Bansod indicted him for cheating two universities.

The panel recommended lodging of a police complaint against the former chairman of NU’s Board of Mass Communication at Sitabuldi police station under Section 420 of IPC for falsifying a degree and diploma each from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (DBAMU) in Aurangabad and NU, without the migration certificate.

The panel, which also has Keshav Mendhe as the member and Pradeep Masram as secretary, further called on for a disciplinary action under Section 127 of ‘Maharashtra Public University act, 2016’ against Mishra, where his result could be cancelled.

The panel report was tabled before management council on Monday, where it was cleared by the members and powers were entrusted with the vice chancellor SP Kane to act on its recommendations. Kane did not respond to TOI’s calls, but registrar Vinayak Deshpande confirmed that it was cleared by council without discussions. Mishra also didn’t take TOI’s call, but texted that he was in Chennai.

Mishra himself has exposed many irregularities in NU with the help of RTI and was main person behind highlighting the issue of colleges running without teachers and infrastructure which led to the closure of many. He had also brought to fore how NU awarded bogus degrees as colleges never had 100% attendance of 180 days for the students, which is mandatory.

TOI on April 9 last year, first exposed about the then NU Board of Examination’s (BOE) alleged “illegal” decision of November 13, 2006, to accept Mishra’s bogus mark sheets, despite the fact his case was pending with the special court investigating the “bogus mark sheets and revaluation scam” better known as Kohchade scam that rocked NU in 1998-99.

TOI’s news was based on RTI Activist Ankita Shah’s queries to NU about minutes of BOE meeting of November 13, 2006, that accepted Mishra’s proposal for surrendering his mark sheets of LLB Part I (1995), Part 2 (2000) and Part 3 (2000).

After TOI’s expose, VC directed then BOEE director Neeraj Khaty to place all the documents related to BOE’s 2006 meeting before him, while attaching TOI’s report.

Bansod panel further directed NU to intimate the Maratha University about how Mishra completed his degree in mass communication and journalism from there in 1996, without migration certificate from NU. The members found out that he also completed his PG Diploma in travel and tourism in the same year.

The panel checked with NU and DBAMU if Mishra was provided with a migration certification. While no records were found with the former, DBAMU failed to provide any documents despite repeated requests.

The panel was set-up to inquire into multiple aspects involving Mishra, including his motive behind returning LLB mark sheets and host of allegations regarding financial misappropriation in scholarships distribution in CIIMC run by him.

Last year, NU had lodged a police complaint against Mishra after allegations against him came to fore and also prohibited his entry into any of its premises.

Earlier, another probe panel by former district government pleader (DGP) Prashant Sathianathan had also nailed Mishra for the multiple frauds. While strongly recommending to lodge police complaint against him, the ex-DGP too mentioned that he not only defrauded NU, but also the judiciary and further committed the perjury of trial court by submitting bogus documents to NU, originals of which were still in court’s records.












https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/cash-strapped-nagpur-civic-body-forgets-to-levy-property-tax/69686636

Nagpur: No property tax on power infrastructure
The decision will hit already cash-strapped urban local bodies like Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Chandrapur Municipal Corporation (CMC) that had brought power infrastructure under property tax ambit.Anjaya Anparthi | TNN | June 14, 2019, 15:00 IST

NAGPUR: The state cabinet on Tuesday decided to exempt power infrastructure like electricity poles, transformer, substations etc from property tax. The decision will hit already cash-strapped urban local bodies like Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Chandrapur Municipal Corporation (CMC) that had brought power infrastructure under property tax ambit.

To exempt electricity poles and infrastructure from property tax, the state cabinet made amendments in Section 128 (a) (2) of Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act- 1949.

“Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL), its power franchisees and Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (MSECTCL) lay electricity lines, poles, transformers etc for providing power supply in municipal corporation areas. Power generation and distribution are essential services. Power tariff will increase and ultimately it will be recovered from consumers in case of additional tax on electricity system,” stated the state cabinet note.

NMC used to levy property tax on electricity poles and infrastructure when Nagpur Electric and Light and Power (NELP) Company, a private entity, used to supply power till 1972. Civic body stopped recovering property tax since MSEB took over power distribution.

Power franchisee Spanco took over three of four divisions from MSEDCL in 2011. In 2012-13, the then standing committee chairman in NMC Dayashankar Tiwari proposed to levy property tax on electricity poles and infrastructure of areas coming under Spanco and excluded for MSEDCL’s one division.

NMC had estimated a revenue of around Rs 10 crore per annum from property tax. Even the demand was raised with Spanco. But Spanco did not pay. CMC had levied property tax on electricity poles and infrastructure of MSEDCL too. CMC had estimated revenue of around Rs 5 crore per annum. However, MSEDCL got a stay from high court on that.

Now, the civic bodies would not be able to levy property tax on power infrastructure. It is not clear what will become of arrears of tax already levied.

Civic body had argued that since MSEDCL was charging commercial rates for power to civic bodies, they too could tax MSEDCL like any other company. NMC is paying Rs 110 crore per annum for streetlights and Rs 70 crore per annum for water supply to MSEDCL. These are also essential services and for public. Still, the power tariff for these two categories was more than residential.

Tiwari, a BJP corporator, said the government should take a balanced approach and subsidize power for essential services of NMC. Congress corporator Praful Gudadhe said, “MSEDCL is a profit making company. When it does not subsidize power rates for civic services, why should NMC give it exemption?” He added the government should exempt all taxes like GST on all materials procured by the civic bodies too.

Power infrastructure has probably become first to get total exemption from property tax.








https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/nagpur-no-property-tax-on-power-infrastructure/69783875

Nagpur civic body plans flat scheme on Orange Street
The hospital buildings will come up near Khamla. One of the building will for be multispecialty hospital and other one for OPDs, radiology, pathology centres, medicines etc.Anjaya Anparthi | TNN | July 01, 2019, 12:00 IST

NAGPUR: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), through MahaMetro, has started construction of Metro Mall — a commercial shopping complex — under Orange Street Project. The civic body has now decided to start works of two buildings for hospitals and residential flat schemes.

City MP and union minister Nitin Gadkari cleared the NMC’s plan for hospital buildings and flat schemes in the meeting held on Saturday. Gadkari directed the civic body to plan flat schemes under the central government’s Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) to keep cost of the flats affordable for middle class and below poverty line (BPL).

The hospital buildings will come up near Khamla. One of the building will for be multispecialty hospital and other one for OPDs, radiology, pathology centres, medicines etc.

The flat schemes will come up between Jaitala T-point and Yashoda Nagar which is the end of the Orange Street project.

The NMC through MahaMetro has started works of Metro Mall adjacent to Jaiprakash Nagar Metro Rail station at Radisson Blu Square. The digging of basement is completed and concrete works will start soon.

Orange Street project has been planned on 5.50km land along Radisson Blu Square to Yashoda Nagar road at the cost of Rs5,700 crore. Planned in 2007, the project received no response on BoT model. Now, the NMC is executing the project in phased manner on its own. The NMC will sell properties and recover the cost.

The NMC has made special buildings bylaws for the project to make it feasible and affordable to interested parties. The remaining zones in the projects are cultural, retail market, recreational, parks, parking etc.

Municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar said the plan is to begin works on five shopping malls at Cotton Market, Netaji Market, Sokta Bhavan, Sakkardara Bazaar and Budhwar Bazaar within next six months. “The tendering process of Sokta Bhavan, Sakkardara and Budhwar Bazaar complex will be held soon. All these will be done through the NMC. Through MahaMetro, the NMC will take up shopping malls at Cotton Market and Netaji Market soon. Shopping malls at Santra Market and Gol Bazaar will be taken up later in the second phase,” he said.

The NMC has planned to shift flower wholesalers to market of APMC at Ganeshpeth. Some space will be made available for flower retailers at Netaji Market.

Orange City Street Scheme

*Defence railway line of Ordnance Factory Ambajhari (OFA) was lying abandoned for decades

*NMC got the land of 31.92 hectare from OFA in 2007

*User changed to commercial on August 27, 2017

*It is 5.50km in length from Raddison Blu square on Wardha road to Yashoda Nagar beyond Jaitala T-point

*Works on Metro Mall adjacent to Jaiprakash Nagar Metro Rail Station started

*Works will start on two hospital buildings near Khamla and flat schemes between Jaitala T-point and Yashoda Nagar will begin

*Commercial, recreational, educational, market, greenery sectors etc will come up in next phases










https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/nagpur-civic-body-plans-flat-scheme-on-orange-street/70020258

SC orders status quo on demolition of 369 houses in Nagpur
The Maharashtra government had moved the apex court challenging the Bombay High Court order directing the authorities concerned to demolish the encroachments.IANS | July 02, 2019, 18:00 IST


NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday directed maintenance of status quo in connection with demolition of 'encroachments', mainly houses, on 369 plots reserved for public utilities in Bezanbagh area of Maharashtra's Nagpur.

The Maharashtra government had moved the apex court challenging the Bombay High Court order directing the authorities concerned to demolish the encroachments. The apex court had, in March, dismissed a petition filed by residents against the high court order.

The dispute dates back to 1977, when the state Revenue and Forests Department decided to take over the land from the Empress Mills and allotted it to a society, the Bezanbagh Pragatisheel Kamgar Gruh Nirman Sanatha Maryadit. Later, the society members were allotted different plots on the land and it was during that these 369 plots were allotted.

In 1979, a layout plan was prepared by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and subsequently, there was an agreement between the society and the civic body for the development of the land, where the land in dispute was carved out for public utilities like parks, educational institutions etc.

Advocate Nishant Katneshwarkar contended before the bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi that the government has moved the top court to save the future of families residing in houses build on the encroached land.

In 2014, the Maharashtra government decided to regularize the unauthorized constructions, while clarifying that the decision is very specific in nature and it shall not be treated as precedent to other matters.

However, in February this year, acting on a PIL against the illegal occupation on the public land, the high court ruled on the contrary. The court ordered the authorities concerned to raze the encroachments and directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation to take possession of the vacant land, and to develop it for the purpose it was reserved in the approved layout.

The court had also directed the state government and local bodies "to see that steps are taken to prevent repeated encroachments on the land in question", and ordered the exercise to be finished within eight weeks.

The Maharashtra government informed the top court that its petition is in larger public interest. "The State is committed towards the welfare of the people, and wants to point out that without disturbing the encroachers, the government is ready to allot additional land, which can compensate for the encroached land. The High Court should have held that the decision of the Council of Ministers was for the regularization of the encroachments and for allotments of additional land," said the petition filed by the state government.











https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/sc-orders-status-quo-on-demolition-of-369-houses-in-nagpur/70040905

Not just flats, Mhada has delayed bungalows too in Nagpur


Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its report submitted in the state legislature on July 2 said Mhada had not taken any action to expedite the works except penalizing the contractor appointed for execution of the project.Anjaya Anparthi | TNN | July 10, 2019, 17:00 IST


NAGPUR: Yet another case of Nagpur board of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) not completing works and giving possession to buyers years after receiving payments has come to fore. Mhada accepted Rs 5.87 crore from 29 people over four years ago and is yet to give possession of their bungalows to them.

Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its report submitted in the state legislature on July 2 said Mhada had not taken any action to expedite the works except penalizing the contractor appointed for execution of the project. As per CAG report, Mhada announced construction of 29 bungalows for high income group (HIG) at mouza Waddhamana. The contractor was appointed in March 2013. Mhada invited applications and received payments from 29 people up to March 2015. It meant Mhada was supposed to give possession in 2015.

“Mhada has not even applied for occupancy certificate (OC) in respect of 29 HIG bungalows. Infrastructure works such as internal roads, retaining wall and drainage works are still incomplete. The allottees have been deprived of their home three to four years after paying the full price to the board,” CAG observed.

In their response to CAG, Mhada official only assured to obtain OC for the entire project shortly. The project is situated on city’s outskirts between Waddhamana and Surabardi. The bungalows have been constructed some 500 metres from Amravati road. It’s approach is yet to be developed properly. Most of the lands in the area are lying vacant.

A visit to the project revealed all bungalows were in abandoned condition. Each bungalow is having a compound wall and some space on four sides. Weed and grass have grown in entire premises. No security guard was seen in the area.

Mhada chief officer Sanjay Bhimanwar told TOI, work on the project was completed. “Process to obtain EC from Nagpur Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (NMRDA) will begin soon. The project got delayed due to some problems about land that were resolved,” he said.

TOI on Monday had reported Mhada had taken payment of Rs 118.33 crore from 314 people 5-7 years ago for flats at housing scheme constructed on Empress Mill land at Ganeshpeth but was yet to give possession.

New school built in sanctuary area

CAG report has revealed that the state Tribal Development Department constructed a new school at a cost of Rs 3.94 crore despite being aware that the village land was to be acquired for Bor Wildlife Sanctuary.

The department used to run an ashram shala in small building at Navargaon village in Seloo tehsil, Wardha district, which was in buffer zone of the sanctuary. Department got new school building approved and obtained Rs 3.80 crore from state government in November 2010. Forest department had proposed to move the village out of the sanctuary in November 2011 and a notification for the same was issued in February 2012. Still, work order for school was issued in March 2011 and work completed in November 2015. The school was shifted to nearby village in December 2015. Since then, the new building has remained unused.

CAG said forest department should examine using the building for permitted wildlife related activities.

Hostel building in good condition proposed for demolition

The social justice and special assistance department (SJSAD) had proposed to demolish Sant Chokhamela Hostel near Deekshabhoomi despite it being in good condition and building a new one. An inspection by SJSAD secretary saved the building, as per CAG report.

The state government had approved Rs 24.61 crore for construction of hostel for 1,000 students in February 2007. Approval was given to demolish existing building and construct new one through NIT. SJSAD secretary directed that existing building be renovated and a new one built in adjacent space. Rs 58.42 crore were released in March 2016 and passed on to NIT after two years in February 2018. Final decision on whether existing building is to be demolished or not is awaited. Due to delay, SJSAD opened four new hostels for 150 students in rented structures and paid Rs 3.32 crore as rent till February 2018.










https://realty.economictimes.indiati...agpur/70157715

Only 681 of six lakh properties in Nagpur adopt rain water harvesting system
A survey by the department revealed that Hanuman Nagar zone has the highest number of properties with RWH system.Proshun Chakraborty | TNN | July 19, 2019, 11:00 IST


NAGPUR: Of the six lakh properties, both residential and government, in the city, rainwater harvesting (RWH) system has been set up at only 681 — which is just .11% of total properties.

“Though the figures are dismal now, people are gradually opting for RWH system. In 2017, RWH system was installed at only 68 new properties. Now, it has crossed 681 properties,” said a senior official from Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) property tax department.

A survey by the department revealed that Hanuman Nagar zone has the highest number of properties with RWH system. Here 404 residents are recharging groundwater table through RWH. In the adjoining Nehru Nagar zone, around 80 property owners have installed the system.

The least number of residents to adopt RWH are from Satranjipura and Gandhibagh zones, which are considered as old city areas. Under Gandhibagh zone, RWH system has been implemented at two properties while under Satranjipura zone, only one property has implemented it.

Even elected representatives have started installing RWH system at their residences. Prominent among them are water works committee chairman Pintu Zalke and standing committee chairman Pradip Pohane. “We both have installed the system this year. We are also appealing to our neighbours to do the same at their houses and apartments,” said Zalke.

“As per NMC rules, the civic body offers discount in general tax component of property tax for implementing environment-friendly measures at residential properties,” said Zalke. A 5% discount is given for setting up at least one among RWH, solar panels and vermicompost, and 10% discount for implementing more than one environment-friendly measure.

The senior official from NMC’s property tax department claimed many residents have already started availing 5% rebate on general tax for rainwater harvesting projects.

Since 2008, NMC has been appealing to citizens to implement RWH at their residential premises, highlighting the importance of effective use and conservation of water. “RWH helps increase groundwater level, but does not ensure its use for the same property,” said a civic official.

Water conservation experts pointed out that various national and international weather agencies are predicting a delayed and deficit monsoon this year. As a result, there will not sufficient water supply to Nagpur, a city with a population of over 25 lakh.

On reasons for water crisis, experts pointed out non-desilting of reservoirs which has decreased their storage capacity, unequal water distribution, leakage in pipelines, depleting groundwater table, non-implementation of groundwater recharge policies and depleting forest cover.








https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/only-681-of-six-lakh-properties-in-nagpur-adopt-rain-water-harvesting-system/70286117

NMC plans ‘One House One Tree’ drive, to spend Rs70L
Proshun Chakraborty | TNN | Updated: Jul 20, 2019, 4:56 IST


Standalone - Women arrange banyan tree plants at government nursery in Himayat Bag ahead of Van Mahostav celeb...Read More

Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation is all set to spend Rs70 lakh to purchase 1.25 lakh fruit tree saplings. The civic body will provide these saplings free of cost to citizens under its ‘One House One Tree’ drive, which is a part of state government’s 33-crore plantation programme.

NMC’s garden superintendent Amol Chorpagar has prepared a proposal to purchase saplings of various varieties of fruits like mangoes, orange, custard apple, lemon, Indian blackberry, guava, jackfruit, pomegranate, sapota (chiku), sweet lime (mosambi) etc. As per the proposal, the NMC will purchase the saplings @ Rs50 apiece.

The decision was the outcome of a meeting convened by district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and mayor Nanda Jichkar early last month.

As per the proposal, these saplings will be distributed to residents of all 10 zones. Though the civic body has its nursery at Ambazari garden, it doesn’t have fruit saplings and hence NMC will purchase them from private nurseries.

A senior official from the NMC said as the garden department lacks manpower, the saplings will be distributed through zonal offices. To ensure survival of the saplings, the NMC will keep record of residents who have been distributed the saplings. Details like applicants name, address, mobile number, Aadhaar number, geographical coordinates etc will be noted.

The garden department has sought technical and administrative nod to go for e-tendering to procure the saplings.

Activists, however, have slammed the move. Green activist and founder of Green Vigil Foundation Kaustav Chatterjee said instead of spending taxpayers’ money on purchasing saplings, the NMC should utilize the funds for watering and protecting saplings planted last year and this year. The NMC should also use the funds for tree guards as it would help protect the trees.

Tejinder Singh Renu, secretary of Vidarbha Taxpayers’ Association, said: “In view of the rising air pollution and temperature, the efforts by the state government and local bodies towards increasing green cover are highly appreciated. However, judicious spending along with accountability is also required so that we have at least 70-80% result-oriented expenditure.”

Renu, however, questioned the varieties selected by the civic body. “Why is NMC spending on purchasing relatively expensive fruit-bearing tree saplings? Moreover, NMC plans to purchase 1,25,000 saplings keeping in mind 6,00,000 houses in the city (as per property tax data). This also includes considerable number of commercial units,” he said. “Do we have so many homes in the city which have enough space to plant such fruit-bearing trees?” asked Renu.

This green cover drive should be implemented with proper accountability and audit as regards to success rate of saplings planted. Administration needs to understand that the amount to be spent is taxpayers’ hard-earned money. Let us utilize that judiciously.






https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/nmc-plans-one-house-one-tree-drive-to-spend-rs70l/articleshow/70299702.cms

Nagpur civic body neglects unauthorized building amid complaints
A few days ago, Asha Mahant, a resident of Shanti Nagar, lodged a complaint with municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar demanding action against the unauthorized building and officials of the NMC’s Satranjipura Zone. Anjaya Anparthi | TNN | August 05, 2019, 14:00 IST

NAGPUR: Though responsible to prevent unauthorized constructions, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has turned a blind eye towards a G+2 floor building that came up without sanction even after receiving complaints from the initial stage itself, 31 months ago. The civic body is neglecting action despite getting a notice 14 months ago. Even the district court upheld the notice 11 months ago.

A few days ago, Asha Mahant, a resident of Shanti Nagar, lodged a complaint with municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar demanding action against the unauthorized building and officials of the NMC’s Satranjipura Zone.

“This is my third complaint to Bangar. With the help of social activist Ashu Saxena, I met Bangar a few months ago and explained the case in detail. Bangar directed officials of Satranjipura Zone to taken action. Even Bangar’s directives were ignored,” said Mahant.

She added that the unauthorized building came up on a plot adjacent to her house due to the nexus between the violators and officials of NMC’s Satranjipura Zone. “There was a small piece of land between my neighbour’s house and mine. Some part of the land is owned by me. My neighbour started constructing a building on the land. I lodged a complaint with the NMC’s Satranjipura Zone office on January 13, 2017. Nobody turned up to stop the construction. I kept on giving complaints for two years but nothing happened. I met the civic chief and requested him to act against the violators. After that, the zone office issued a notice to the unauthorized building on June 21, 2018. The NMC was supposed to demolish the structure after one month, but again, nobody turned up,” she said.

According to the documents available with Mahant, the zone office issued a letter to her neighbour on January 28, 2017 asking him to submit documents of the plot as well as the building plan. After a week, the NMC was expected to issue a notice under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. But the notice was issued after 17 months.

Mahant’s neighbour challenged the NMC’s notice in district court. In his order dated September 11, 2018, Judge MR Washimkar said, “As the construction is without sanction and unauthorized, it cannot be protected. If unauthorized constructions are protected, the defendants (NMC) may have to face serious complications in developing the city. If injunction is granted against defendants, then the entire development and common amenities will get affected,” the judge said.

Before the court, the NMC itself said the unauthorized construction was non-compoundable. And, the NMC’s statement was upheld by the court. Still, the NMC has not taken any action despite the fact that it’s been 11 months since the court issued the order. At present, the unauthorized building is in use.

Activist TH Naidu said the civic chief should taken action against the concerned NMC officials. “The civic chief is supposed to take action if any official ignores unauthorized construction under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations(MMC) Act. It is a major administrative lapse if action is not taken even after a notice was issued under the MRTP Act,” he said.

An official from the zone office said the case has been forwarded to the enforcement department for action against the unauthorized building. “Action has been delayed by the enforcement department,” he said.

The official of the enforcement department needs to state that it is the responsibility of the zone office to take action. “We send the team with the machinery to all zones once or twice in a week. Why did the zone office not demolish the unauthorized building when the team went there,” he questioned.

*It is NMC’s one of the primary responsibilities to find if any unauthorized constructions and take action

*Asha Mahant lodged a complaint about unauthorized building coming up adjacent to her house on January 13, 2017

*NMC Satranjipura Zone office neglected the complaint

*Mahant met civic chief and requested for an action

*Zone office issued a letter to violator asking to submit documents on February 28, 2017 after civic chief’s directives

*Zone office was supposed to issue notice under MRTP Act after a week

*Mahant continued complaints and construction was carried on

*Zone office issued notice on June 21, 2018 after Mahant met civic chief for second time

*NMC was supposed to stop and demolish the structure after one month

*Violator challenged NMC’s notice in district court

*Court observed stopping action will create serious complications in developing the city 11 months ago

*Still no action taken against the structure

*Now the unauthorized building has been brought under use











https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/nagpur-civic-body-neglects-unauthorized-building-amid-complaints/70532444

Maharashtra urban department to merge Nagpur civic body and NIT
The civic body is likely to get all the properties of the NIT after the merger. Anjaya Anparthi | TNN | August 08, 2019, 18:45 IST



NAGPUR: The state’s urban development department (UDD) has reportedly finalized process to merge Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) with the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).

The civic body is likely to get all the properties of the NIT after the merger.

The UDD held a meeting with the officials of NMC and NIT at Mantralaya in Mumbai on Wednesday. Now, the UDD will submit its report to CM Devendra Fadnavis. The UDD will issue a notification announcing the merger after CM’s approval.

In a meeting held on July 4, Fadnavis had set a deadline of August 15 for merging NIT into NMC.

Sources from the NMC and NIT told TOI that the civic body would get properties and also build-operate and transfer (BOT) projects of the NIT. “All layouts will be transferred from NIT to NMC. Open spaces, gardens, playgrounds, halls, swimming pool etc under NIT’s possession will also be transferred to the NMC. BOT projects like parking plaza, Kalamna hall, private bus terminal etc will also be handed over to the NMC. Some vacant land of NIT will be transferred to Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) for the latter’s revenue source,” sources said.

Sources added that employees of the NIT will get three option, either to work with NMRDA, NMC or go for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS).

The fate of NIT’s ground rent being levied annually on leasehold plots and flats could not be known. Similarly, the decision on stamp duty revenue being earned by the NIT would be known only after issuance of the notification.









https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/maharashtra-urban-department-to-merge-nagpur-civic-body-and-nit/70588880

Nagpur civic body arranges special camps to expedite land acquisition
Around 2,500 plot owners availed the benefit of the special camps in the last one week.Anjaya Anparthi | TNN | August 13, 2019, 13:00 IST

NAGPUR: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has arranged special camps and also started a socio-economic survey to expedite land acquisition (LA) in the Smart City area — Pardi, Bharatwada, Bhandewadi and Pardi in East Nagpur. LA is crucial for execution of the Smart City project.

Mahesh Moroney, deputy CEO of the Smart City special purpose vehicle — Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Limited (NSSCDCL) — said the two initiatives will also ensure registration of plot ownership with the city survey department.

“Many plots were in the agriculture category. Ownership of plots, too, was not registered with the city survey department. All plots have been converted into non-agriculture (NA) with the approval of the town planning scheme by the state government. Plot owners have to pay NA cess at the collector’s office for mutation with the city survey department. NA cess is a small amount but it’s mandatory. We coordinated with the collector’s office and they started conducting special camps at Bharatwada in the Smart City area. Now, plot owners are attending the camps and completing formalities. They would have delayed or neglected paying the cess if they had to go to the collector’s office,” said Moroney.

He added that around 2,500 plot owners availed the benefit of the special camps in the last one week. “The camps will continue for the remaining 10,000 plot owners,” he said.

Moroney also said that special camps of the city survey department will also be organized for mutation. “Camps for mutations will end the lengthy process,” he said.

The SPV needs to acquire a few houses and the total area of a few plots for construction of roads and development of other basic amenities like a housing scheme, gardens, community centre etc. Also, the SPV will acquire 40% area of the total plots as per the town planning scheme. The SPV cannot acquire land if it’s not in the name of the current owner.

Moroney said the socio-economic survey also started three months ago. “An NGO has been appointed for the survey. SPV will get the detailed information of plots’ area, current owner, number of persons residing in the property, the economic condition of owner etc. This will help in expediting the works of project,” he said.

Under the project, estimated to cost Rs3,303 crore, an area of 1,743 acres in Pardi, Bharatwada, Bhandewadi and Punapur will be converted into Smart City. Around 1.13 lakh people residing in the area are likely to gain from the project.








https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/infrastructure/nagpur-civic-body-arranges-special-camps-to-expedite-land-acquisition/70651923

NCDRC issues notice to Nagpur's Goldbricks Infrastructure
The bench comprising presiding member Deepa Sharma and member C Viswanath, on hearing the complaint, issued notice to the respondents under Section 13(2) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986Vaibhav Ganjapure | TNN | August 17, 2019, 18:00 IST

NAGPUR: The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) issued notices to Goldbricks Infrastructure after a city businessman lodged a complaint.

The bench comprising presiding member Deepa Sharma and member C Viswanath, on hearing the complaint, issued notice to the respondents under Section 13(2) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Before adjourning the hearing till July 8 next year, the judges directed them to file their reply within a month of getting the notices.

Complainant Kishor Daga, through counsels Anubhav Mardikar and Shubhada Phaltankar — knocked the forum’s doors after the Goldbricks Infrastructure has not only failed to provide possession of flat, but also amenities and facilities to the flat owners as promised at its Anandam World City project, coming up near the Medical Square in the city.

Citing project brochure, Agrawal claimed the company promised to provide 27 different kinds of amenities titled ‘Live, Work and Play’. It including swimming pool, cricket pitch, and clubhouse among others. Despite paying almost the entire consideration, none of the facilities has been implemented as promised.


Agrawal claimed that he had paid more than 90% of the amount to the company, but the respondent has defaulted in executing a deed of conveyance with most of the buyers. He had issued a legal notice to the Goldbricks Infrastructure in June last year asking for early possession of flat and also agreed to pay Rs 8.92 lakh to the builder, which was outstanding towards the flat’s purchase.

He contended before the NCDRC that without providing any of the promised facilities, the company is illegally demanding money under various pretences and hence he was forced to knock judiciary’s doors for justice.







https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/ncdrc-issues-notice-to-nagpurs-goldbricks-infrastructure/70710492

Nagpur civic body approves construction of over 350 EWS flats
​​The committee also approved replacing of MahaMetro with the civic body’s own contractor for construction of Metro Mall citing delays.Anjaya Anparthi | September 15, 2019, 10:37 IST

NAGPUR: People from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) will be the first to get accommodation on the proposed Orange Street as Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) standing committee on Friday approved construction of 386 flats at a cost of Rs 60.69 crore.

The committee also approved replacing of MahaMetro with the civic body’s own contractor for construction of Metro Mall citing delays.

Flat schemes for EWS will be second component of Orange Street, as NMC has already started construction of Metro Mall on plot no. 1.

NMC executive engineer Naresh Borkar told TOI proposal is to construct eight residential towers of G+6 each on plot no. 20 measuring 12,784 sq m. “Estimated area of each flat will be 30 sq m. These towers will come up between Yashoda Nagar and Jaitala Square,” he said.

NMC will rope in seed money to start construction of flat schemes. In parallel process, the civic body will select beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), take an advance from them, and use it in the construction.

The stretch of Orange Street breaks at Jaitala Square due to road connecting Inner Ring Road with Jaitala. As per NMC proposal, a commercial complex will come up towards the front side of Jaitala Road followed by vegetable and mutton market, and then flat schemes. Thus, NMC plans to accommodate existing vegetable market, which is a popular one on Sunday for a large number of areas.

The standing committee approved the proposal to float tenders for appointing private contractor to construct Metro Mall from above plinth level at an estimated cost of Rs 53.66 crore. The committee also approved dropping MahaMetro, revising agreement and allowing it to construct only up to plinth level.

TOI, on September 9, was the first to report about the NMC decision to drop MahaMetro and construct the mall on its own.

As per the proposal, NMC had entered into an agreement with MahaMetro on December 20, 2018, to construct Metro Mall through the latter. MahaMetro was chosen as Metro Mall is supposed to be linked to Jaiprakash Nagar Metro Rail Station.


“Decision was taken to restrict MahaMetro for construction only up to plinth level and build remaining through private contractor due to slow pace of work by MahaMetro,” the proposal said.

Municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar said NMC is also likely to save money, which would help sell commercial spaces in Metro Mall at cheaper rates.

“Cost of MahaMetro is high as it does works on its own common schedule of rates (CSR) whereas NMC executes works on CSR finalized by state’s Public Works Department, which is less,” he said.

In last nine months, MahaMetro could not even complete entire digging for construction of two lower basement parking floors in Metro Mall.











https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/nagpur-civic-body-approves-construction-of-over-350-ews-flats/71133534

Nagpur: HC rejects Armors residents plea for stay on demolition
The residents rushed to HC after Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) squad moved to their locality for razing part of their construction which took them closer to the deadly HT lines that had already claimed many lives. Vaibhav Ganjapure&Ashish Roy | TNN | September 17, 2019, 16:00 IST

NAGPUR: Citing risk to humans staying under the vicinity of high tension (HT) lines, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Monday rejected applications filed by Armors Township residents in Sugat Nagar for stay on the demolition of their illegal/unauthorized constructions.

The residents rushed to HC after Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) squad moved to their locality for razing part of their construction which took them closer to the deadly HT lines that had already claimed many lives.

“If we entertain such requests, human lives would be put at risk. We can’t allow such dangerous construction, particularly in the rainy season. Their lives are more valuable than their homes as those can be reconstructed,” a division bench comprising justices Sunil Shukre and Milind Jadhav tersely said, while granting a go-ahead to the NMC to continue its action.

As per HC’s directives to remove illegal constructions from over 3,600 houses that cropped in periphery of HT lines without sanctioned plans, the civic body served notices to Armors residents on Friday evening at 5 pm, asking them to raze those portions on their own or else it would do the job and recover the cost from them.

Accordingly, some of the residents started razing the structures on their own with the help of labourers from early morning. About 11 of them preferred to move HC through counsel Shailesh Narnaware, praying for stay and arguing that alternate remedies are available like placing all HT cables underground or insulating them to prevent contact.

NMC counsel Sudhir Puranik then instructed the officials to stop demolition work till HC’s orders on residents’ application. He informed that the residents were issued notices on July 17, after which five weeks were passed, but they did nothing and approached the HC at last moment. Agreeing with is contentions, the HC rejected their requests at around 4 pm, after which the NMC restarted their job.

Earlier, the judges asked Narnaware to confirm on whether all 11 applicants had built their homes as per sanctioned map and there was no illegality or violation of Development Control Rules (DPR). They observed that basically, the residents have their grievance against the builder who mislead them and took them for a ride.

“In such a scenario, we are of the view that the case should be moved in the civil court and not in HC. At the most they can get relief in terms of compensation from the erring builder for demolition, but those orders can’t be used for stalling the razing of illegal structures,” they clarified.

The application was filed in PIL based on TOI reports on deaths of 11-year old twins Priyansh and Piyush Dhar and five-year old Umesh Pande due to electrocution from HT wires in June 2017. Shreerang Bhandarkar was appointed as amicus curiae.


Earlier, the residents met energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and asked him to make the HT line near their house underground. SNDL officials calculated the expenditure to be Rs 80 lakh. Bawankule promised to pay Rs 40 lakh and asked the residents to bear the remaining half. He told them that they would have to collect the amount within two to three days. Most of the residents were ready to pay just over Rs2 lakh to save their houses. But, five to six house owners refused apparently feeling that the NMC was issuing empty threats.

Now, the residents want compensation from the builder Anand Khobragade. “He had told us while selling the houses that the HT line would be made underground within two months, but he fooled us. We will file a case in the court to make him pay us damages,” said Ishant Premchandani.

Another resident Manish Sakhre objected to police personnel coming at night and threatening the residents. “They told us to demolish our houses or NMC would do it with machines, which would cause more damage,” he said.









https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/nagpur-hc-rejects-armors-residents-plea-for-stay-on-demolition/71166001