Eradicating corruption requires Top Down approach. Rest all is a show Bizz. The ACB needs to understand that failure of JDA officers to report rampant establishment of unauthorized colonies as well as illegal commercial structures like Raunaq Plaza (citadel of large scale irregularities) is not a secluded act of an oversight. It’s an intentional immense loss to state exchequer and organized conspiracy hatched with mighty violators to sabotage planned urban development for pecuniary personal benefits which qualify all parameters for immediate attention of ACB sans more delay.
JAMMU: More than enough have been highlighted for attention of government by JK Globals News portal in public domain pertaining to the murky affairs prevailing in the corridors of ‘Vikas Bhawan’ housing a crucial wing of Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) namely Jammu Development Authority (JDA) who is mandated with a significant task to ensure planned development in its jurisdiction strictly in consonance with Jammu Master Plan 2032.
Sadly, the premiere investigation agency of J&K Union Territory i.e Anti Corruption Bureau has miserably failed to take cognizance of alleged role of the concerned officers (Tehsildars) of JDA under whose nose the willful defaulters managed to complete huge unauthorized commercial structures in JDA jurisdiction in Baribrahmna, Sarore, Vijaypur, Chowadhi, Sunjawan, Jagti, Bhalwal etc.
The construction of a huge Mall -Raunaq Plaza along roadside in Sarore, construction of Godowns in Birpur, sudden constructions of nearly 25 commercial establishments in Jagti, 2 in Nagrota Bazar, construction of 8 commercial structures which become oozing point of drugs and sleaze on NHW-44 patch Ragoora were all allowed to constructs in blatant violation of J&K Building Operation Control Act, Ribbon Act and J&K Land Development Act, 1970.
As per rules book, prior to construction of commercial or residential construction within JDA jurisdiction, its mandatory for owners to obtain building permission with approved plan from designated authority in JDA after depositing requisite fees. There is strict provision of action under BOCA laws- ranging from demolition to sealing against unauthorized constrictions.
These commercial establishments in above mentioned areas were constructed in the last 3 years and the authorities in JDA is fully aware of it but except issuance of notice intentionally in irregular manner nothing as laid under BOCA laws was initiated by the authorities against the violators, alleged sources in JDA.
The case of Raunaq Plaza, construction of commercial establishment one after another in Jagti upto Ban, establishment of private illegal colonies in Phallian Mandal, Chowadhi, Birpur, Bishnah, Jakh, Jagti, Bhalwal etc all points towards organized play of rampant corruption flourished in JDA with patronage, added sources.
Officer of JDA on condition of anonymity told JK Global News “Everything is available on the platter for ACB in the cupboards of JDA. Careful scrutiny of notices issued to the violators will expose the working pattern of those heading the BOCA teams in zone C/D and Zone A/B”.
Irregular and inadmissible pattern of issuing notices under various sections of BOCA Act are enough evidences to book the officers under relevant acts of corruption laws, added the officer.
Under norms, entire exercise under BOCA Act needs to complete within 15 days. Strangely, here in case of above mentioned buildings, the BOCA teams of JDA failed to execute it till the violators complete the construction and begins commercial activities. Thereafter, the defaulters approach the Tribunal Court and which generously grants stay, avers another officer of JDA.
Pertinently, the JDA few months ago dashed notices u/s 7(3) of BOCA to nearly 25 commercial establishments which were constructed along roadsides in Jagti upto Ban in last 2 years and also secure Caveat from J&K High Court for action against these illegal constructions. What happened to the Caveat and awaited actions is still a mystery which adds credence to whispers which raised finger of suspicion towards the real intentions of authorities in JDA. Similarly, no one knows the fate of those final notices which were issued to unauthorized occupants who construct dozens of dens of shame at Ragoora road in Sidhara almost a year ago.
For sake of convenience who is stopping the authorities in JDA as well as ACB to take generous Google baba help to fetch exact date of construction of Raunaq Plaza at Sarore, illegal commercial flats in Sunjawan, unauthorized commercial structures in Chowadhi, Birpur, Sunjawan, Jagti especially, the formation of nearly 47 illegal colonies which mushroomed in last 3 years in JDA jurisdiction.