Digha families call off protest against CIDCO

Navi Mumbai: Around 184 families from Digha protesting alleged cheating by a builder called off their agitation outside the CIDCO office after a meeting with MD Bhushan Gagrani. The families were being charged property tax for owning homes in a building declared illegal by CIDCO and which could be demolished as per a court order.

Bharat Patankar, president, Shramik Mukti Dal, told Mr. Gagrani during the meeting that the residents are victims of the builder, party member Sunil Naik said. “CIDCO has collected property tax from the residents. If Cidco knew the structure was illegal, they shouldn't have collected tax. It claims to have sent a notice to the builder during construction. If so, it was withheld from flat buyers by the builder.” Surendra Kadam, a resident of one of the four societies facing action, added, “A building is not constructed overnight. CIDCO should have demolished it. If they’re doing so now, we should be paid for the loss.”

Mr. Naik said, “We plan to file an application in the Bombay High Court, and hold the next protest at the Azad Maidan.”

The Bombay High Court has given CIDCO the authority to either regularise or demolish four illegal housing societies in Digha: Amrut Dham, Durgamata Plaza, Datta Kripa and Avdut Chaya. Their status was brought to light after RTI activist Rajiv Mishra filed a PIL in the HC, which declared them as illegal. It also told residents to vacate the premises in February 2017.