Focus on illegal use of residential properties in Pune
PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has appealed to citizens to share information about unauthorised use of residential properties for commercial purposes.
“The PMC has set up a war room to detect such properties and act against them. The move is aimed at reducing illegal use of these properties,” Ajit Deshmukh, head of the PMC’s property tax department, told reporters on Tuesday. The PMC has urged citizens to WhatsApp details of such properties, including their addresses and locations, to 8308059999.
According to PMC officials, the civic administration had made an appeal for voluntary declaration of commercial use of residential properties. But only a handful of people have done so. The PMC plans to charge additional property tax from occupants and owners of wadas and other properties, which have been converted into food joints.
A circular regarding the same was issued by the commissioner. “Many illegal food joints are being operated from residential properties. They have not taken any consent from the building permission department. The users will have to pay three times the property charges as per the legal provisions,” said Vikram Kumar, the PMC commissioner, in the circular.
As per the circular, many civic organisations, local leaders and residents have complained against food joints, including monthly mess, restaurants, hotels, bars and pubs.
These establishments operate till late at night or wee hours and play loud music, causing disturbance to residents. The PMC has decided to join hands with the MSEDCL for detecting illegal use of residential properties for commercial purposes.
