I will take it with a bit of positivity on the TCP Minister part on his steps to deter hill cutting and settlement violations with fines up to Rs 25 lakh for the violators. I have not seen the detailed plans for the latter, but with what I have noted so far via media reporting, I think the Rs 25 lakh fine might deter the "small players" but will be just "small change" for the fattened "money bags" with crores of rupees who will just take this an "operational cost/fee" to cut the hills, destroy forests/trees and proceed with their destructive plans anyway. TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane should also declare the areas as no development areas and put onus on the violators to restore the hill/fields/trees etc which would mean the bill to the violators will go way beyond Rs 25 lakh and into possible crores of rupees. If the violator can't pay up all of the latter then all assets should be seized as collaterals. In addition criminal charges with jail terms must be introduced. Also any permissions given for conversions on hill areas beyond the legal gradient should be withdrawn.
