The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently took action against five film studios located in city’s Madh-Marve region for operating after the license period lapsed.
As per reports, these studios were functioning without permission and hence were punished as per the confidential report which was submitted to the municipal chief. However, it is being said that Iqbal Singh Chahal will review the report soon and necessary action will be taken in this matter. A report regarding the same was published in the Hindustan Times based on the information received from sources.
Quoting the source, the report stated, “After the municipal commissioner clears the report, it will move to the inquiry department. It is certain that the officials will be penalised but the quantum of punishment will be decided by the inquiry department. It also depends on what approach the commissioner takes.”
A notification was issued by the civic body on September 6, 2022, when the issue began, which mentioned that a total of 49 complaints were made by the citizens regarding the operations of illegal studios in the concerned areas of Malad-Marve and Madh. These were received for the period of 2021 and 2022 and mentioned that the studios were constructed without permission and paperwork at a No Development Zone (NDZ) and Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) in the locality.
Moreover, in many cases fake documents were also obtained using contacts and some officers, basis which an order was sent by the municipal chief to conduct an investigation, which further revealed that over 20 studios were under the radar, five of which were functioning illegally despite noticing the lapse in the licence validity period.
Relevant witnesses examined the report which was submitted ahead of Diwali this year, owing to which concerned BMC officer were questioned related to the noticed irregularities and the action which was supposed to be taken.
Adding more, the civic official told the Hindustan Times, “The illegalities are not that grave here, but the P (North) ward office has been directed to issue notices to these 16 studios as well and make them toe the line. If they let their space out for shootings, they need to procure a license from the BMC’s license department. The only pre-requisite to conduct shootings now is to take licenses. The license department is now intervening and impressing upon the studios to take a license from the BMC, failing which P (North) ward will take action against them. Depending on their replies and assessment remarks, we will learn if their structures are illegal or not.
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