JAMMU: Prolong silence of LG led administration to act against large number of upcoming illegal residential colonies in outskirts of Jammu city is all set to jeopardize dream home plans of buyers as they are vulnerably exposed to traps of colonizers, who are offering plots with hassle free registration from Revenue officers and subsequent construction in colonies which lacks necessary legal approval from the government.
On receiving inputs and complaints from large number of citizens, the JK Global News carried investigation and came across startling facts pertaining to these newly formed illegal colonies.
The team identified 12 illegal colonies alone in Bhalwal area, one in Phallian Mandal near 4th Tawi Bridge, 4 in Bishnah, 3 in GhoManhasan, 3 in Vijaypur, 3 in Birpur, 2 in Gadigarh and one each in Chowadhi, Domana, Mishriwala, Jakh, Marh and Sainik Colony Extension.
Posing as decoy customer, when JKGN interacts with developers and desired to know the legal status of these colonies, much to our surprise none came with a satisfactory replies.
The sales executive of WonderHomez who is offering sale of plots in Bhalwal Colony (300 Kanals, Khasara No 2210), Machine Domana (30 kanals), Phallian Mandal (50 Kanals, Khasra No 605/109), Mishriwala and Chowadhi (20 Kanals near R.M.Public School) while admitting that these colonies are devoid of approval from government said “Fetching approval for colonies is a cumbersome process and assured hassle free registration as well as construction in colonies”.
Similarily, the owners of a colony located in Chowadhi near IDP, School (60 Kanals, Khasra No 850, 1444, 1446, 1443 and Shiva Enclave colony (40 Kanals, Khasra No 496) located in Sainik Colony extension said “Nothing to worry if colony is not approved. From registration to construction we controlled everything”. Our colonies have uninterrupted electricity and water supply despite the fact same are not approved. So, what else you want, he quipped.
JK Global News View Point: Development of private residential colonies is much needed. But, the same allowed to be established as per law of the land. Hassle free sale and registration of plots in unapproved colonies besides construction activities in violation of J&K Control of Building Operation Act, 1988 simply shows existence of parallel administration run by the mighty colonizers- a salient feature of Jungle Raj. These unpalatable developments are incompatible with era of Good Governance ushered by PM Mr. Narendra Modi in Union Territory of J&K to uproot corruption and ensure transparency in government functionaries. Formation of Task Force under the direct supervision of upright CS Mr. Arun Mehta to identify black sheeps in system who are hand in gloves with colonizers of illegal colonies and initiating crackdown against unapproved colonies is need of the hour.
Not only this, even the colonizers were ignorant about provision of keeping a quota of plots in colonies with concession rate for economically weaker section.
Expressing concern over sudden boom of unplanned colonies in Jammu where colonizers are openly engaged in sale and facilitating registration of plots from revenue department, sources said “If concerned agencies of H&UDD are deliberately sleeping over this alarming matter then the district administration should rise to the occasion and initiate strict action against colonizers. These illegal colonies in near future will become source of law and order problem for the law abiding citizens”.
Terming illegal colonies as an outcome of strong nexus between colonizers and officials of government agencies, insiders in JDA reveals “Gross ambiguity in land titles is the reason that prevents colonizers to seek permission from authorities”.
This is a flourishing business which runs on quid pro basis causing huge loss to the state exchequers and stress on existing civic infrastructures, he further added.
Pertinently, prior to sale of plots in new residential colonies, the colonizers first need to seek permission from the authorities with relevant land papers and layout plan. Then, after scrutiny of documents and NoCs from couple of government departments, the authorities grants approval against fees after fulfillment of all norms laid down in J&K Development Act, 1970.
Once the colonies approved, the colonizers can commence sale and registration of plots. This act also empowers the concerned authorities to stop or demolished any constructions which are unlawful besides lodging FIR against the offenders”.
This is must to ensure that the upcoming new residential colonies have proper roads, streets, parks, street lighting, sewage, drainage, electricity, public works and drinking water infrastructure as per laid down norms which also includes provision for allotment of plots on concession rate to economically weaker section(EWS) of society.
Strangely, though majority of these newly developed illegal colonies falls within Jammu Development Authority (JDA, however, the JDA in its reply to RTI vide letter No- JDA/CLA/RTI/816/132 dated 03/12/2021 while expressing ignorance about these illegal colonies said “Teams have been “constituted to identify” unauthorized colonies whose report is pending.
Confirming development of illegal colonies on large scale, a senior officer of Town Planning Department on condition of anonymity said “Officers in JDA, JMC, police and district administration are fully aware about newly carved illegal colonies in their jurisdiction but avoid initiating action, intentionally”
Ironically, the registration of properties and construction activities are going at brisk pace in these illegal colonies. The colonizers managed electricity and PHE connections. Strangely, the district administration is watching all these unlawful developments helplessly, added TPD officer.
This is a fit case of gross corruption and the matter should be handed over to ACB and CID to expose nexus behind these illegal colonies, he added.
(To Be Continued)