Laws to check encroachment in panchayats to be amended: Chavan

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today said existing laws will be amended to check encroachments in gram panchayat areas before the conclusion of the ongoing Budget session of the Legislature.
Intervening in a discussion on the issue of unauthorised constructions in Haveli gram panchayat area in Pune district, Chavan said a committee headed by the revenue secretary to recommend measures to stop such encroachments, has submitted its report.
"The recommendations are being examined. Prima facie, four to five existing laws including the MRTP Act and the Gram Panchayat Act need to be amended," he said, adding that a decision on it will be taken before the conclusion of the ongoing session.

In reply to another question, Revenue Minister Balsaheb Thorat said that a decision on bifurcation of Thane district will be announced on May 1, the state's foundation day.
The process of bifurcation was underway, he mentioned.
The existing Thane district covers seven municipal corporations and is rapidly urbanising. The demand for division of the district has been long pending.
Thorat made the announcement during Question Hour when MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar sought to know the status of the bifurcation proposal.