Supreme Court declines plea for uniform policy on unauthorised constructionsThe Supreme Court declined a PIL seeking a uniform policy for regularisation and demolition of long-standing unauthorised constructions, saying the matter falls largely within the policy domain of states and local authorities. “It would be difficult and may not be prudent for this court to lay down a uniform policy framework to be applied across various states,” the bench said. The counsel said that authorities sometimes assure residents that unauthorised structures would be regularised, while simultaneously collecting municipal and property taxes and permitting access to civic amenities such as electricity. The CJI pointed out that the Supreme Court had already laid down comprehensive safeguards against illegal and unauthorised demolitions. It also reiterated that the Supreme Court had already issued safeguards aimed at preventing sudden and arbitrary demolitions.