Replying to a question from Sanjay Waghchure and Jitendra Aawahad (both NCP) during the Question Hour regarding encroachments in Pimpri-Chichwad near Pune, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan expressed deep concern, and appreciated the initiative of Speaker Dilip Walse-Patil who had convened a meeting on the issue.
The Speaker informed the House that a committee of four Secretaries and a Group of Ministers (GoM), headed by the Revenue Minister, is studying how encroachments can be prevented.
Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse (BJP) demanded that MCOCA should be invoked against the offenders, and even the concerned ward officers and zonal officers of the municipal corporations should be held responsible for encroachments.
Minister of State for Urban Development Bhaskar Jadhav said the encroachments that had come up after April 1 this year would be demolished.