‘Laws not so strict, violators get away with small fine’

Why don’t NMC & NIT officials take court orders seriously?
Due to lack of will power. They’ve all the time for unimportant activities, but not for implementation of laws. They mostly remain occupied with their personal agenda even in the offices. It includes pleasing their political bosses while turning a Nelson’s eye to all illegal activities happening around them.
Is it true that citizens don’t complain?
Yes. The NMC officials emerge from the citizens only and, unless, all of us improve, we can’t expect them to take action on their own. All citizens must realize their responsibility to keep the city neat and clean. It’s a collective responsibility, not limited to the civic officials alone. If all of us follow laws, courts wouldn’t need to remind them to take timely action. Unfortunately, we only believe in complaining about others while ignoring our basic flaws. Even after court’s orders, you will see illegal posters, banners, welcome gates, stages, and hoardings all around the city, but nobody bothers.
Can we term it as lack of awareness?
It’s NMC and NIT’s duty to create awareness about laws among the citizens, just like they do with social awareness campaigns like polio and girl child. But it’s also the responsibility of the citizens to be aware of rules and regulations prevailing in the country. They openly flout laws by erecting pandals for functions on roads without realizing that it causes problems to others.
As festivities are banned on roads, where they will go?
Festivals are part and parcel of India’s rich culture and tradition. The problem is lack of vision of our rulers. While framing laws, they failed to fix a policy for pandals for Ganesh, Durga, Eid and other festivals. We’ve about 20-25 festivities lines up throughout the year. Ideally, the government should have earmarked the places them. Earlier, pandals used to be set up on playgrounds. But, now, the nexus between civic officials and builders has led to gobbling up of all such open spaces in the city.
Even courts stay silent on violations of its own orders. The first such ruling came in 2009, but it took seven years for cracking the whip.
The judiciary usually pardons officers on tendering apology, with a view to grant a chance to them to improve and avoid repeating mistakes. This time however, the court was very strict and refused to drop contempt proceedings against municipal commissioner Shravan Hardikar, as he submitted third apology for the same reason.
What’s the solution to this menace?
The court in its various orders have provided solution to reduce it. In 2009, it asked police and municipal commissioners to fix the responsibility on their subordinates from respective zones in cases of violation. In latest order, it directed NMC, NIT and police to launch a toll free helpline for receiving complaints regarding illegal pandals, hoardings and posters. Ironically, our laws are not so strict, and violators could easily escape with meagre fine.
(Firdos Mirza is a leading lawyer in various PILs against illegal pandals, welcome gates, arches, and encroachments in city)