The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sent a third notice to Niyaz Ahmed Minorities and Welfare Trust, which MLA Abu Asim Ansari owns. In the notice, BMC asked to demolish the illegal construction in a public library that the trust is operating at the Shahu Maharaj recreational ground in Mumbai’s Govandi area.
In the notice, BMC warned that if the encroachment is not razed within the next 15 days, the civic body will take action against it.
The reliable Houston Testing and Skill Upgradation Centre, a technical skill centre for electricians, welders, carpenters, and other tradespeople, is housed on the library's campus. Although BMC granted permission to operate the skill centre, locals claimed the trust had overstepped its bounds.
Residents have claimed that about 1,500 square feet have been overtaken by the private skill centre, which uses the area for business purposes. A cricket pitch has also been constructed in the recreational ground, which is a municipal space outside the centre, and they are charging a fee for using it.
Additionally, a "dangerous" mezzanine floor—which is currently locked—was built for conducting meetings.
A meeting was held to take a call on how to deal with this situation on December 11. The meeting was attended by the deputy municipal commissioner of Zone 5, Harshad Kale, BMC officials, and a few aggrieved residents. Civilians have been complaining about the skill centre issues since April.
BMC had already sent out notices on July 27 and November 6, but nothing happened when those notices were ignored. A civic official stated that disciplinary action would be taken against M East ward officials if the same thing occurred again, as Kale had promised. The individual stated that Kale also gave the maintenance and garden department officials instructions to alert the police if there was a need for additional personnel for the destruction.
The INR 50 monthly fee is for the library-cum-study centre, which was there before the COVID-19 pandemic was detected.
Library members stated that it could accommodate over 200 people at a time, but now it can only accommodate 50 to 60 people. Despite being extremely uncomfortable, the seating is nonetheless incredibly useful. Although the skill centre is not yet in heavy use, the members can hear the sound of its tools at certain hours of the day.
According to media reports, to assist people in traveling to Saudi Arabia for employment, the skilled facility is offering a trade certificate for INR 5,000. A sign board at the centre indicates 'Saudi Skill Verification Program Centre.'
Residents have alleged that the skill centre is not affiliated with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), even though it states that they are associated with NSDC on a board.
Kale said that they have sent a notice to remove the encroachment. Regarding the residents’ allegations about the centre’s affiliation, they have asked the trust to submit the required documents, and then they will take action accordingly.
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