'Illegal built-ups on reserved areas need to be demolished'

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Ekanath Khadse today said illegal constructions on reserved areas should be demolished.
The government is also planning to bring a new law wherein there would be a provision for action against elected representatives (of various bodies) who support illegal constructions, Khadse said in Question Hour during the ongoing state Legislative Council session here.
Congress member Anant Gadgil raised the question regarding illegal constructions on the outskirts of Pune city.
The minister admitted that it is difficult for the government to tackle the issue of illegal constructions.
Various government agencies are aware of such illegal constructions, but "some officers deliberately try to manage it," he alleged.

Sometimes, even elected representatives try to stop concerned officers from taking action on such matters, he claimed.

The government is planning to introduce a law under which elected representatives, if found guilty, will be punished, he said.
He also said all illegal constructions on reserved places should be demolished at the earliest.
In order to simplify the construction process, the government is trying to give power to local authorities to grant permission for converting agricultural land into a non-agricultural one, he added.