MERCES, AUG 21
Miffed over various illegal activities in the village, Merces panchayat has decided to take stern action against activities like illegal scrapyards, illegal garages and illegal godowns.
And to prove that it is serious about its decision, the panchayat has already published a notice in some local dailies urging those indulging in such activities to immediately stop them, failing which the panchayat would take necessary action against the same.
The panchayat has even threatened to demolish the illegal structures.
“The notice has been issued to give those individuals involved in such illegal activities a last chance to shut them down,” Sarpanch Deepika Shirgaonkar told Herald.
When asked about the reason for the notice, Deepika informed that various illegal activities are mushrooming in the village.
“During a recent inspection by the ruling panchas, it was
found that illegalities are only growing without any fear of law,” said Shirgaonkar.
“The inspection was done during the last week and it was found that illegalities are concentrated in various pockets of the village. In some places, it was even resembling a slum,” the sarpanch added.
She further said the panchayat had tried to gather information on those persons running these places.
“Most of the persons were co-operative in providing information.But in one instance, a person behaved rudely with us and even started questioning our authority in conducting the inspection,” Shirgaonkar said.
When asked what action the panchayat would take if these illegal activities are not stopped, she informed that the panchayat would issue notices to the individuals.
“In instances where the names of the individuals are not known, the panchayat will paste notices at the premises where the illegalities are underway,” she added.
Secretary Rupesh Halarnkar added that the panchayat would give sufficient time for these individuals to explain their position and to submit any documents they possess regarding the conduct of the activities.
“If they fail to give a satisfactory reply, then the panchayat would go ahead with the demolition process,” he added.
