JAMMU: Known for providing special services to several commissioners who remained posted in Jammu Municipal Corporation in the past, the enforcement inspector Shiv Kumar enjoys permanent immunity for his acts which are sufficient to pack his bag and baggage under dead wood in the organization. There are reports that scores of constructions are being raised without site approved plan in wards allotted to him.
Interestingly, not able to report unauthorized constructions in assigned wards, Shiv Kumar writ runs 360 degree in JMC limit for any kind of construction activities which appears impossible for violators to undertake. It’s also learnt that Shiv Kumar openly brags of his close kitchen proximity with three IAS officers who served the JMC as Commissioner in past and allegedly still exploiting them to influence the incumbent officers for his convenience.
Sharing pictures of illegal constructions in Chowadhi, Sunjawan, Narwal, Bhathindi and Resham Ghar Colony, reliable sources in JMC said “It’s strange to see no action was initiated by the Joint Commissioner (Enforcement), Hitesh Gupta despite clearly aware about the involvement of concerned enforcement inspector in allowing construction of a huge bungalow in Chowadhi area without approved plan”. This building was not raised overnight and twice it faced the wrath of JMC authorities on account of deliberate failure of concerned Khilafwarzi inspector to report this construction well in time, added JMC insiders.
Similarly, behind International Delhi Public School- a three floor building is under construction in Chowadhi area under JMC jurisdiction without approved plan. The owner also installed three shutters in ground floor without caring for the fact that the road is only 15 feet wide and lead to inconvenience for the residents. ” Everything should not left for the Commissioner to act indeed the concerned officers also need to rise to the occasion and undertake ground assessment of the complaints pertaining to illegal constructions, said an officer of JMC.
It would not be out of place to mention here that following a surprise visit of Commissioner at JMC store in Gandhi Nagar, Shiv Kumar was strip of his all time favorite post of storekeeper and shifted to enforcement wing. Confiding his identity, an official of JMC store said “Had the information about the Commissioner visit to Gandhi Nagar was not leaked, the situation would have been more horrible for Shiv Kumar”. He is one of the most delinquent official of JMC and was divested from post of storekeeper allegedly on account of large scale irregularities, informs reliable sources.
The level of proximity he enjoys with past IAS officers in JMC could be assessed from the fact that he was blessed with catering, purchase of several items of health wing worth lakh and that’s the sole reason he used to be top critic of GeM –the transparency initiative of incumbent JMC Commissioner.
On being contacted Joint Commissioner, Hitesh Gupta said “No one will be spare for encouraging illegal constructions. When JKGN apprised him about the unauthorized constructions going on with impunity in above mentioned areas which were shared by citizens as well as employees of JMC to us, he quickly said “Share the photos and wait for action”. Now, it’s worth to see how the officer would tackle this EI who branded himself as “indomitable” in JMC organization.