Govt defends Maharashtra Town Planning Rules in Bombay HC

Defending its draft rules, Maharashtra Town Planning (Compounded Structures) Rules 2017, which provide for regularisation of unauthorised constructions in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and other urban neighbourhoods across the state, the state government Tuesday submitted an affidavit before the Bombay High Court stating it was “well within its power to make such legislation and subordinate legislation in the larger interest of occupiers of such structures.”

According to the affidavit, dishousing each and every occupier of such structures and leaving them without accommodation may cause them hardship and lead to law and order problem. The state, therefore, seeks rejection of the contentions raised against the draft rules, the affidavit stated. The policy would apply to unauthorised structures constructed in urban belts before December 31, 2015.