The Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) failure to convene meeting of Pune Tree Authority (PTA) within the prescribed time-frame has irked members who alleged that the civic administration's apathetic approach is tarnishing the image of the authority as a body only for giving approvals for tree cutting. However, the PMC garden department has cited a Bombay high court ruling that gives a free hand to the PTA from taking any decision without the court consent.

“The last PTA meeting was held in May and it has been over 45 days that the meeting has not been convened,” PTA member Haji Zaakir Mouddin Sheikh, said.

As per the Tree Act, the tree authority must meet atleast once in a month. At the most there can be a 45 day gap between meetings.

With the civic administration not convening the meeting for long, the PTA members that have been alleging it of violating the Act has taken a tough stand.

In a letter written to the state Urban Development Ministry bringing into its notice the failure of civic administration in convening the meeting, Sheikh said the state government should not take any action against PTA members for the failure of meeting to be held within the stipulated time as per the Act.

“You never know anyone can seek action against PTA member since the meeting has not take place for long. I do not want to suffer for the mistake of the civic administration,” he said, adding, this is to safeguard the authority members from any action.

... contd.