PRESS NOTE
For kind favour of publication
BANGALORE, September 17, 2009: Having exhausted all means to clear encroachments over storm water drains, advocate S. Umesh has now threatened to file a PIL against the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) if it fails to initiate action within 15 days.
Mr Umesh, President, Five Year Law Course Advocates Association, first complained to the BBMP along with photographic evidence regarding the encroachment of drains, which led to water logging on roads and flooding of basements.
When the civic body ignored his complaint, the advocate approached the Lok Ayukta on July 16. Even this did not prod the BBMP to demolish the illegal structures. Finally, Mr Umesh filed an RTI application seeking details on the status of the complaint submitted by him.
It was only then that the BBMP responded that action was initiated against two structures. “The Corporation demolished two insignificant structures, while letting the big fish go scot free. Major encroachments include the Gurudwara at Ulsoor, the parking lot at Jasma Bhavan Road and shops on the drain at Nala Raod, Shivajinagar,” he said.
Mr Umesh has now provided a fresh list of encroachments where three to four storey buildings have come up on the storm water drain at JC Road. A copy of the complaint has also been sent to Urban Development Minister S. Suresh. “I will not rest until all the illegal constructs are demolished, even if it means going up to the Supreme Court,” the advocate added.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Copy of the complaint filed with the BBMP regarding additional encroachments over storm water drains
September 17, 2009
To
The Commissioner
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike
NR Square
Bangalore
Sir,
Complaint against construction of illegal buildings over storm water drains in Bangalore
In continuation of my earlier complaint dated June 16, 2009, I would like to bring to your notice four other instances of illegal construction over storm water drains. It is a matter of surprise that three to four storey buildings have been constructed right over the storm water drains. The fact that the BBMP is silent over such major encroachments indicates that its officers are actively involved in the scandal. The list of additional encroachments is provided below:
Agarwal Powers (Ground Plus 3 Floors), No 5/2A, JC Road, Bangalore -2
Sri Ragavendra Complee (First and second floor) Kumbargudi Main Road, Bangalore-2
Cargo Tarpaulin Industries, 89/1. JC Road, Bangalore-2
Lakshmi Complex, No 38/3, Lalbagh Road, Bangalore-27
It is a matter of regret that the BBMP has failed to act suitably on my previous complaint too. I request you to immediately demolish the aforementioned illegal buildings and initiate necessary action against the guilty including the corporation officers concerned.
Please note that having exhausted all options before me in seeking redressal, I shall have no option but to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Honourable High Court, if you fail to initiate action with 15 days.
Sincerely,
(S. Umesh)
Cc: Honourable Minister for Urban Development, Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore
Honourable Lok Ayukta of Bangalore
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
PRESS NOTE: BBMP demolishes illegal structures following RTI application
PRESS NOTE
For Kind Favour of Publication
BANGALORE Sept 1, 2009: An RTI application has finally prodded the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to initiate some action against the illegal encroachment of storm water drains, through the big fish remain untouched.
Mr S. Umesh, President, Five Year Law Course Advocates Association, had first filed a complaint with the BBMP on June 16 along with photographic evidence seeking action against illegal encroachments. When the Corporation failed to initiate action, the advocate filed a complaint with the Lok Ayukta.
When even this did not have an impact on the BBMP, he filed an RTI application seeking details of the action initiated by the civic body. In response to the application, the Executive Engineer, Koramangala Valley, has stated that illegal encroachment and construction by Chowdeshwari Kalyana Mantap and Venkatesh Nursing Home at Lakkasandra have been cleared.
However, the response is silent about the other major encroachments including the illegal construction by the Gurudwara at Ulsoor. No action has also been initiated with regard to the blocking of a storm water drain at Jasma Bhavan road to create a parking lot. Ironically, the Corporation itself has encroached upon the drain at Nala Road, Shivajinagar to construct shops.
Threatening to file a PIL on the issue, Mr Umesh said, “I have exhausted all means. The only avenue left now is to knock on the doors of the court.”
For Kind Favour of Publication
BANGALORE Sept 1, 2009: An RTI application has finally prodded the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to initiate some action against the illegal encroachment of storm water drains, through the big fish remain untouched.
Mr S. Umesh, President, Five Year Law Course Advocates Association, had first filed a complaint with the BBMP on June 16 along with photographic evidence seeking action against illegal encroachments. When the Corporation failed to initiate action, the advocate filed a complaint with the Lok Ayukta.
When even this did not have an impact on the BBMP, he filed an RTI application seeking details of the action initiated by the civic body. In response to the application, the Executive Engineer, Koramangala Valley, has stated that illegal encroachment and construction by Chowdeshwari Kalyana Mantap and Venkatesh Nursing Home at Lakkasandra have been cleared.
However, the response is silent about the other major encroachments including the illegal construction by the Gurudwara at Ulsoor. No action has also been initiated with regard to the blocking of a storm water drain at Jasma Bhavan road to create a parking lot. Ironically, the Corporation itself has encroached upon the drain at Nala Road, Shivajinagar to construct shops.
Threatening to file a PIL on the issue, Mr Umesh said, “I have exhausted all means. The only avenue left now is to knock on the doors of the court.”
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