The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is tackling the issue of illegal commercial use of residential properties in the city. In an effort to crackdown on this practice, the PMC has set up a war room to identify such properties and take action against them. The aim is to curb the unauthorized use of residential properties and promote a more regulated and lawful environment.
Head of the PMC’s property tax department, Ajit Deshmukh, announced this initiative on Tuesday and called upon citizens to assist in the efforts by reporting any information they may have about residential properties being used for commercial purposes. The PMC has provided a WhatsApp number, 8308059999, where citizens can share details such as addresses and locations of such properties. This step is an important one towards reducing the prevalence of illegal commercial activities in residential areas.
Earlier, the civic administration had appealed to property owners to voluntarily declare if their residential properties were being used for commercial purposes. However, only a few people responded to the appeal. Consequently, the PMC has decided to take a stricter approach by charging additional property tax from occupants and owners of wadas and other properties that have been converted into food joints without proper consent from the building permission department.
PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar issued a circular detailing the consequences of operating food joints from residential properties without permission. In the circular, he stated that these illegal food joints would be required to pay three times the normal property charges as per legal provisions. The decision to impose such penalties has been made in response to numerous complaints from civic organizations, local leaders, and residents regarding the disruptive activities of these establishments. The food joints, including monthly mess establishments, restaurants, hotels, bars, and pubs, often operate until late at night or the early hours of the morning, causing disturbance to the peaceful atmosphere of residential areas.
To aid in the detection of illegal commercial use of residential properties, the PMC has collaborated with the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). By working together, these organizations hope to identify any violations and take appropriate action.
Managing residential properties according to their designated purpose is essential for maintaining a harmonious living environment. The PMC’s appeal to citizens and their proactive steps to address the issue of illegal commercial use of residential properties demonstrate their commitment to ensuring that proper regulations are followed. Through collective efforts, it is possible to create a city where residential areas remain peaceful and uninterrupted by commercial activities that infringe upon their tranquility.
