Illegal structures on JDA land cannot exists without officials-land grabbers nexus. From plinth upto slab stage, a structure consume nearly 30 days to build. symbolic demolition notices usually served once building in contravention of law attains completion. this pave way for violators to secure stay order from the Court which remain intact for decades knowingly that the same holds limited validity-says an officer of JDA.
JAMMU : Not only Rajiv Nagar and Sheikh Nagar, mushrooming illegal constructions on encroached government land in Belicharana also exposed prevalence of alleged corruption in enforcement wing of Jammu Development Authority (JDA).
Prolong failure through symbolic issuance of notices in official files sans action on ground against unauthorised structures besides breeding patronized corruption contribute to haphazard cluster of buildings which are antithetical to planned development of city and semi-urban areas, asserted an official posted in building permission section, confiding anonymity.
Sharing scores of fresh illegal constructions undertaken by land grabbers, the locals in Belicharana alleged that these structures enjoy official patronage and only those who failed to comply demand of under table deals are targetted by delaying execution of slab work.”
Glimpses of fresh unauthorised constructions in Belicharana areaš
Probing accusations against enforcement wing for failure to act timely against mushrooming illegal constructions in Belicharana, the JK Global News team when interacted with locals and officials of security agencies, allegations came flying thick and fast against the enforcement wing officials of JDA deputed in the area.
These massive illegal constructions especially high valued commercial properties along roadside in Belicharana not only attributed to the failure of enforcement wings to curb such activities at initial state but also indict their involvement in protecting the violators with official impunity, alleged, a resident of Belicharana, adding “Why khilafwarzi team of JDA deputed in the area not demolishing these fresh constructions is a million dollar question.”
If insiders in JDA are to believe, the enforcement Inspector namely Rajinder Kumar Khajuria enjoy patronage of higher ups and considered as Man Friday of JDA. “Facing allegations of corruption in shielding large scale unauthorised commercial constructions in Bishnah, the higher ups instead of initiating action just transfer and entrusted him supervision of all major upcoming commercial hubs -Vijaypur, Raie Morh, Ramgarh, Birpur, Mandal, Sunjawan, Chowadhi, Bari Brahmana and Belicharana” revealĀ our sources in JDA, adding, this perhaps is a prize posting considering the massive unauthorised commercial constructions undergoing in these areas.
Further criticising the working of JDA, reliable sources said, “Despite there being adequate statutory framework and machinery available, the authorities concerned appear to be laxed in performing their assigned duties. As a result, the land grabbers and violators raising constructions on JDA land without statutory permissions which attracts attention of Anti Corruption Bureau to ascertain what’s ailing the enforcement wing of JDA”.
Even, prolong silence on fresh illegal constructions on JDA land in Belicharana, Rajiv Nagar, Bagh e Bahu and Kalka Colony is a matter of introspection for Vice-Chairman and Director Land Management as the duo cannot act against the delinquent officials in pick and choose manners, further added sources.
On being contacted, the DLM of JDA without any resolve to ensure accountability of enforcement wing staff for inaction in timely checking and demolition of unauthorised constructions as well as encroachments said, “We are monitoring performance of enforcement wing officials through weekly report system”. When further probes about mushrooming illegal constructions despite claims of “robust” monitoring system, he fumbled for words and replied “We are short of manpower and majority of staff engaged for enforcement purpose are junior assistants which are not well versed with enforcement duties”