The general impression of the functioning of the Municipality is that it is meant for cleaning the lanes, by lanes, drains and granting or refusing the building permissions. Least is known that it is called a local self government having vast powers within its limits hence responsibilities as well. The semblance of its importance has come to light when the present Commissioner took over and traffic lights were installed which have definitely given a sigh of relief from the mess of traffic jams; besides drawing the attention towards its responsibilities on account of dog menace.
The most important question is, has it come up to the expectations of the people  in other respects like removal of encroachments on foot paths, pavements, general roads, and market checking eatables.
Shop keepers are occupying the foot paths and pavements by laying tiles in front of their shops on foot paths thus claiming their right of easement on them as if it is the modern method of making mutation of the said land in their favour. Some even fence the area so that no one uses the same. Fruit sellers are openly occupying the land on road by raising first temporary sheds then by and by converting the same into a full fledged shop. Is the state land on sale like this, if this continues days are not far off when we will find on the middle of the road anybody raising a shed. Redaywallas are openly occupying the middle of the road making it difficult for vehicular traffic as well as pedestrians to move. Footpath from Biscoe School upto Residency Road seems to have been either sold or given on lease. Maharaja Bazar road is now properly fenced for Raida Wallas and no one is bothered. Pickle sellers do it all openly on road which can cause cancer to the consumer. I don’t suggest that somebody’s livelihood should be snatched but as the saying goes there is a method to do the things; but in this city it seems to be free for all.
Since our Municipality has become Corporation  by Act of 2000 it has more powers under the Municipal Corporation Act, hence more responsibilities towards its people. Illegal constructions are going on even on roads yet for reasons unknown or best known to the officers concerned nobody checks them. Pavements are occupied which prevents the common man to use the same violating his easmentary  rights and forcing him to walk on main road and be susceptible to accident which amounts to violation of his constitutionally guaranteed right to life. When Supreme Court has held the State functionaries guilty for keeping a Man-Hole open in which any individual can fall why should the Municipality not be held responsible in case a pedestrian meets an accident on the main road for want of free foot path.
It was quite encouraging to note that on beggar menace particularly outside beggars police swung into action immediately which has given hope that Municipal Corporation also under the leadership of present Commissioner will seriously look into the matter.
It hardly needs to be reminded that Commissioner has the powers under section 232 of the said Act to remove all such illegal encroachments without any notice unless same is not running under the tacit understanding of the officers concerned. The most important point is to make the concerned officer responsible and accountable in whose jurisdiction/Allaqa these illegal activities are happening.

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Lastupdate on : Sat, 11 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 11 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 12 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST