Power of prescribed authority to order demolition of building unfit for human habitation.

(1) Where the prescribed authority on a report from the local authority concerned or the State Housing Board or the Board or an officer authorised by the Government for this purpose is satisfied that any building being unfit for human habitation in a slum area is not capable at reasonable expense of being rendered so fit, it shall serve upon the owner of the building and upon any other person having an interest in the building whether as lessee, mortgagee or otherwise, a notice to show cause, within such time as may be specified in such notice, as to why an order of demolition of the building should not be made. (2) If any of the persons upon whom a notice has been served under sub-section (1) appears in pursuance thereof before the prescribed authority and gives an undertaking to that authority that such person shall, within such period as may be specified by the said authority, execute such works of improvement in relation to the building, as will in the opinion of the said authority, render the building fit for human habitation or that it shall not be used for human habitation until such authority on being satisfied that it has been rendered fit for that purpose cancels the undertaking, the prescribed authority shall not make any order of demolition of the building. (3) If no such undertaking as is mentioned in sub-section (2) is given, or if in a case where any such undertaking has been given, any work of improvement to which the undertaking relates is not carried out within the specified period or the building is at any time used in contravention of the terms of the undertaking, the prescribed authority shall forthwith make an order of demolition of the building requiring that the building shall be demolished within such period as may be prescribed.