June 29, 2019
Govt to take strong action against filling up of waterbodies
Putting out a very strong message against the filling up of waterbodies in the jurisdiction of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister, who is also the mayor of Kolkata, said in the State Assembly on Wednesday, June 26 that FIR would be filed against even the officer-in-charge (OC) of a police station if they fail to check the filling up of a waterbody under their jurisdiction.
He said that the KMC has been implementing laws not only to protect ponds and other waterbodies, but also to take stringent action against those who would attempt to fill up ponds. He said preservation of environment is the top priority of the government.
The minister said that it is everyone’s duty to protect the environment as otherwise the future generations will face the implications. He went on to add that those who make such attempts are nothing short of criminals, and urged all the State’s MLAs to be alert and thwart attempts at filling up waterbodies.
Listing the efforts of the government on this matter, the minister said the KMC has spent Rs 75 crore for the re-excavation and renovation of 130 ponds under its jurisdiction in financial year 2018-19. The KMC has also waived up to 90 per cent taxes for those who will protect the waterbodies.
Commenting on the efforts being undertaken by the KMC, the minister said the civic body conducts a survey of the premises before sanctioning plans for construction.
A vigil is also being conducted to find out if any constructions have been made illegally by filling up waterbodies. In fact, in the last couple of years, the tendency to fill up waterbodies has gone down, the minister said.
Source: Millennium Post
