JAMMU: `Illegal colonies as well as unauthorized constructions especially commercial have witness a record jump in Jammu Development Authority’s jurisdiction after the formation of BOCA teams by authorities which raises serious question mark on its working pattern.
The authorities with a view to check illegal constructions at inception stage in areas falling under JDA jurisdiction and to initiate legal action against the willful violators as per compliance of order No –HUD/JMC/31/2020 dated 8/5//2020 has constituted two BOCA teams vide order No 13- JDA of 2020 dated 27/6/2020.
Headed by Tehsildar Zone A/B Samridhi Sharma, the BOCA team A is comprised of Sanjay Halli (JE), Rajinder Kumar (Work Supervisor/ I/C Khilfwarzi Inspector), Mela Ram (Surveyor) and one Patwari. Whereas, the BOCA team B which reports to Tehsildar zone C/D is comprised of Saqib Ahmad (JE), Balwinder Singh (Patwari), Sanjeev Phull (I/C Khilfwarzi Inspector) and Sansar Chand (Surveyor).
Both the BOCA teams neither succeed in curbing the illegal constructions nor able to report the unprecedented establishment of around 47 illegal colonies which mushroomed in and around Jammu within 2 years, reveals reliable sources in JDA.
Stating that every unauthorized commercial constructions which mushroomed everywhere with impunity in JDA jurisdictions in last two years especially in Birpur, Sarore, Bishnah, Chowadhi, Nagrota, Jagti, Bhalwal, Phallian Mandal, Nikki Tawi, Belicharana etc is open evidence of patronized corruption prevailing in enforcement wing of JDA, an official of JDA, confiding anonymity said “BOCA teams were formed to initiate swift action under COBA rules against those indulging in constructions without approved plans from JDA authority. Strangely, the shady working pattern of BOCA teams emboldens the willful defaulters which results in unprecedented rise in illegal constructions”.
The silence of BOCA teams and enforcement wing of JDA on establishment of 47 illegal colonies in Jammu already unveiled their shady style of working. The higher ups in administration and JDA only wake up and pulled it’s men and machinery on illegal colonies when it was exposed by the JK Global News.
Further revealing the modus operandi of BOCA teams, sources in JDA said “There is nexus which promotes hurdle free construction of buildings especially commercial structures without seeking approved plan from JDA. Ensuring completion of illegal constructions without approved permission is a money minting racket where the BOCA teams consumed 6 to 8 months in issuance of notices to violators only with a well planned move to allow the violators to complete the structure and start commercial activities”.
Under norms, the BOCA teams need to finish process of issuing notices to willful violators within 15 days. However, in JDA this exercise consumes nearly one year so as to help violators complete construction work of illegal building. This deliberately done as part of operation quid pro quo, alleged an officer of JDA preferring anonymity. The glaring example of this corruption nexus is Raunaq Plaza, dozens of commercial structures in Chowadhi, Birpur, Belicharna and Jagti, added sources.
Irony of the matter is that the authorities in JDA and H&UDD is fully aware of these corrupt nexus but prefer criminal silence over it. “The new VC-Pankaj Magotra on assuming the office of JDA has carried whirl wind tour of several areas falling under the jurisdiction of JDA and expressed his strong displeasure over the way illegal buildings were constructed without approved plans. But, since then no corrective action has been initiated against the BOCA teams and their heads.
Pertinently, the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Raghav Langer in the month of March has inspected number illegal colonies in Bishnah and surrounding areas and recommended disciplinary action against a couple of concerned JDA officers as well as Revenue officials. But, even after lapse two months no body knows exact fate of action against the erring officials of JDA who were hand in gloves with developers of illegal colonies.
BOCA teams in JDA is nothing but a school of scandal and need to be abolished merely on the ground as it primarily failed to execute its duties, alleged an officer of JDA wishing not to disclose his identity.
When contacted, VC JDA, Pankaj Magotra said ” Final notice were issued to several establishments which were constructed without approved plan and action is under pipeline. But, he fails to give satisfactory reply when asked as to why BOCA teams not able to stop unauthorized constructions at initial stage and consumed 6 months to one year in issuing notices to violators under COBA laws”.