Kolkata, June 1 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed civic authorities to give sufficient time to the concerned families and residents before taking strict action against any illegal construction, a government official said on Monday.

According to Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) sources, the Chief Minister held an important meeting with officials of Borough-9 in the Alipore area on Saturday. It is learnt that Adhikari expressed dissatisfaction with the action taken by the KMC during the meeting.

According to KMC sources, the Chief Minister primarily raised questions regarding the issuance of notices and adherence to the legal process in the demolition of illegal constructions in the Tiljala and Topsia areas.

It is alleged that notices were issued giving residents very little time to vacate their houses, following which the Kolkata Municipal Corporation began demolition work. In this context, an explanation has also been sought from the Director General of the Building Department, Ujjwal Sarkar, according to KMC sources.

In the meantime, the Calcutta High Court has issued an interim stay on the demolition notice. The court observed that even if a construction is illegal, a specific legal process must be followed before it is demolished.

The administration cannot take unilateral action without providing due notice, an opportunity to present views and the legally prescribed time to the concerned parties, the court said.

Following the High Court’s stand, fresh discussions have begun within the administration on the issue.

The Chief Minister also conveyed a clear message at the meeting that the government has no objection to taking strict action against illegal constructions. However, such action must be taken in accordance with the law while maintaining a humane approach.

He emphasised the need to avoid situations where families are suddenly evicted or houses demolished without being given sufficient time.

At the same time, the Chief Minister warned that illegal construction would not be tolerated under any circumstances in the future.

Instructions have also been issued to increase surveillance, conduct regular inspections and serve timely notices from the initial stages of construction activity.

He clarified at the meeting that the instruction applies not only to the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency but to the entire city of Kolkata.

As a result, concerned quarters believe that this signals a more comprehensive and legally compliant administrative approach to tackling illegal construction in the coming days.

–IANS

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