In an order, which may prove deterrent to the menace of encroachment on government land, the Director of Municipalities (DoM) has disqualified the president of BJP-ruled Dhanera Nagarpalika in Banaskantha along with a Congress councillor.

The president has been identified as Premabhai Tarak and the councillor as Dajabhai Patel. Both were accused of encroaching upon government land and had been facing a trial in this regard under the provisions of the Municipalities Act.

The Chief Officer of the Nagarpalika, Chandrakant Desai said that DoM Sonal Mishra passed the order for their disqualification. Now, the charge of the nagarpalika has been handed over to the vice-president.

Popatlal Joshi, a former president of the nagarpalika, had lodged a complaint against the two errant office bearers of the municipality for violating the rules.

Joshi contended that when Dhanera nagarpalika was likely to be named as the best nagarpalika in the district, it is embarrassing that its president is the one who has encroached upon the government land.

The matter to take action against Tarak and Patel was pending before the DoM, and Joshi had filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court for a speedy disposal of the same. The HC had, on July 7, directed the DoM to give its verdict in 15 days.