JDA exposes over massive illegal constructions in Phallian Mandal -Part I

Merely issuing notices sans concrete action for years itself shows that the authorities are giving preferential treatment to willful violators and not serious about ensuring zoning regulations as per Master Plan. Lackadaisical approach towards massive illegal constructions in Phallian Mandal which is a replica of Jagti, Bann and Bajalta deserves Anti-Corruption Bureau attention to ascertain the magnitude of loss caused to the state exchequer by officers and officials of JDA.

JAMMU: Widespread unlawful constructions in several blocks of Phallian Mandal area has raised serious question mark on the working pattern of enforcement wing of Jammu Development Authority (JDA).

While these illegitimate constructions have become bonhomie for willful violators as well as some officials of the enforcement wing, the insiders in JDA attributed this undesired quid pro quo exercise as a gigantic loss to the state exchequer, which is deliberately devoid of revenue worth several crores on a monthly basis in the shape of building permissions and Change in Land Use (CLU) fees.

Blaming that these constructions sans approved building plans have become a money-minting business for field officials of the JDA who passionately keep rounding in the area without failure but yet, they failed to act against these mushrooming illegal constructions, the locals of the area told JK Global News that bonanza of unlawful constructions in several blocks of Phallian Mandal especially Ganeshu Chak, Karnail Chak, Chak Sardar, Chak Lallu Shah itself explain the miserable failure of JDA authorities to act against the violators. Currently, there are 40 illegal constructions out of which alone 15 exists inside one unauthorized colony in Phallian Mandal area.

There are allegations that these illegal constructions are patronized by field staff of the JDA in association with the well-entrenched land mafia which is behind the proliferation of illegal colonies on state land in Phallian Mandal. Further explaining the modus operandi of illegal construction, the locals asserted that seeking CLU and building permission for construction, especially commercial buildings, requires a hefty amount. With gratification of few bucks, the task of building a structure sans permissions and CLU can be easily managed.

“There are fixed rates for constructing residential and commercial buildings sans permission and CLU. However, the gratification amount is four times high for turning blind eyes towards constructions in unauthorized colonies which exists on huge piece of encroached state land in Phallian Mandal area along the banks of river Tawi”, said an aggrieved local who allegedly paid Rs 70,000 for construction of a residential building in Chak Lallu shah, adding “Every illegal construction in Phallian Mandal is a reflection of          sordid tale of corruption”.

If insiders in the JDA are to be believed, illicit constructions are flourishing mainly due to lack of accountability and transparency. The entire exercise from show cause notice to sealing has to be completed in 15 days. However, issuing notices has become a symbolic exercise. In many cases, it later disappeared along with files from offices, alleged our reliable sources in JDA. The only solutions to curb ills afflicting the functioning of the enforcement wing lie in fixing accountability of field staff with daily reporting and introducing e-files to track and keep records of action against unauthorized constructions, suggested an officer of JDA preferring anonymity.

Repeated attempts to seek the view of Pankaj Sharma, Vice-Chairman, JDA, remain futile as he neither responded to our calls nor messages on WhatsApp.

(To be continued)