Large scale illegal constructions in JDA jurisdiction under the nose of officers indict a deep rooted corruption nexus. This is fit case for Anti Corruption Bureau to probe the matter and exposed those deliberately bend to defeat JMP-2032 for pecuniary benefits- sources
JAMMU: There is no caretaker in Jammu Development Authority (JDA) to implement in letter and spirit the farman of Principal Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department, Dheeraj Gupta to check rampant unauthorized constructions in fast emerging commercial hub around Jammu city. This practice apart from pushing blockade in planned development is causing huge loss to the state exchequer.
Taking cognizance of gross violations of Jammu Master Plan-2032, HUDD vide its order No 03-JK (HUD) of 2020 dated 24-08-2020 has made it mandatory to enclose copy of sanctioned building permission granted under J&K Building Operation Act issued by respective issuing authority prior to issuance water and electricity connections by the concerned department.
However, this order of Principal Secretary HUDD who also happens to be Chairman of JDA fails to deter large scale constructions in Chowadhi, Jagti, Nagrota, Vijaypur, Bishnah and KotBhalwal areas of JDA jurisdiction. If sources are to believed, still the violators are currently constructing fresh constructions in these villages by procuring backdated NOC from BDO office.
Upon receiving number of complaints on telephone and emails, the JK Global News team visited Jagti, Chowadhi, Birpur, Vijaypur and Bishnah and surprised to see several unauthorized commercial structures from small to big were being constructed in utter violation of BOCA byelaws sans approved building plans. Surprisingly, in some cases where constructions have been completed, the violators have applied for building permission after completing illegal constructions. While interacting with locals, the allegations of grave nature were came flying thick and fast against the two BOCA teams –one headed by Tehsildar Samridhi Sharma and another headed by Tehsildar Ranjeet Singh Chib.
Posing as businessman from Delhi when JKGN team approached couple of owners in Jagti, Chowadhi and Vijaypur for opening a food outlet in their under construction buildings and sought to know the status of approved building permission plan, water and electricity, the owner of the building to our utter surprise said “Everything will be managed with the presence of generous officers”. It’s learnt that still fresh constructions are undertaken in these areas by obtaining backdated NOC from BDO office.
Reliable sources in JDA alleged that all these illegal constructions in upcoming commercial hub have become a money minting exercise. “From inception to completion, the concerned officers/officials are well aware about these unauthorized constructions but except issuance of notices in files nothing executed on ground” sources alleged.
Citing constructions of nearly two dozen commercial establishments in Jagti area of Nagrota, sources in JDA revealed that these illegal constructions are not constructed in a jiffy. Right under the nose of JDA officers, these commercial establishments were constructed in last 2 years without any approved building permission from the JDA authority. Interestingly, the ground staff of JDA reported these illegal constructions at the very beginning to their superiors who except playing over notice under BOCA prefer to remain silent resulting not only in completion but also operation of commercial activities in these unauthorized constructions. This is a willful loss to the state exchequer as the JDA kept Rs 25 per square and Rs 5 per square meter for approved commercial/residential buildings permission plans, alleged an official of JDA.
Referring to huge multi level commercial structure in Vijaypur near Sarore Toll Plaza, several huge under constructions commercial establishments in Chowadhi as well as Jagti- insiders in JDA said “These illegal buildings reflects shoddy working of concerned enforcement officers in JDA especially those who remained posted as DLM in last two years”.
All these constructions are being undertaken within jurisdictional limits of JMP-2032 by various encroachers, violators without seeking requisite building permission from the JDA, then what’s prompt the concerned officer of JDA not to initiate action against these illegal buildings under rules, questioned an officer of JDA preferring anonymity.
Insiders in JDA attributes rampant illegal commercial constructions in JDA jurisdiction as alleged friendly approach of higher authorities as well as Anti Corruption Bureau in avoiding penal clause against delinquent officers of JDA enforcement team, who were guilty of either “turning a blind eye” or “conniving” with the owners to allow such encroachments especially over the last two years.
“Notwithstanding anything contained in the disciplinary rules applicable, the competent authority shall issue a show-cause notice to the jurisdictional officer concerned and seek explanation in writing for their failure to prevent unauthorized constructions in contravention of provisions of the JMP-2032 and BOCA” the rules said. This means even those who have retired from service will be held liable and have to cough up fines depending on the number of offences, said JDA officers.
When contacted Director Land Management, Kusum Chib who is in charge of enforcement team in JDA said “ To prevent illegal constructions undertaken by violators in JDA jurisdiction, the BOCA teams as well Tehsildar of Zone A and Zone B are delegated with section wise powers”.