Sheikh has also written to the Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Zagade saying the delay in holding the meeting is damaging the image of PTA in the public.

“The court has put restrictions on tree cutting. But, the civic administration is not convening the meeting on that pretext. It will show us in bad light as people will think that the PTA is only for tree cutting,” Sheikh said.

Another PTA member Ketaki Ghate said, “I have been constantly reminding the PMC Garden department for convening the meeting, but there has been no firm response from them”.

The court directions are being cited as the reason for delay in holding meeting, she said adding the PTA does not merely deals with tree cutting and its responsibility is to conserve and promote greenery.

There are various activities on environment awareness on which the PTA can decide on and also there has been no pre-monsoon meeting held so far that deals with tree plantation drive, Ghate said. BJP corporator and PTA member Medha Patkar said she too has been insisting on convening the meeting of the tree authority as per the Act. There can be discussions on various issues that can be done in the meeting and if need be the decision can wait till the court clearance, but the meeting should be held regularly, she said.

PMC garden department superintendent Bhanudas Mane said the meeting was delayed as they were busy studying the court directions. “We will soon hold a meeting of PTA. We were unable to decide on whether it would be contempt of court if the meeting is convened,” he said.

... contd.