Massive unchecked illegal constructions inside unauthorized colonies at Karnail Chak in Tehsil Mandal has invited sharp criticism from the villagers, who have been accusing the Jammu Development Authority of acting selectively against violators and demanded strict compliance of Jammu Master Plan-2032 for planned development of the area.
Sharing pictures of multiple constructions, a resident of Mandal said, “For raising a small construction on ancestral land, the locals are facing harassment from JDA but massive unauthorized constructions undertaken by mighty violators from Kashmir valley are allegedly patronized on encroached state land in Karnail Chak with extended impunity from JDA. Without corrupt practices, the violators cannot indulge in unauthorized constructions on an alarming scale under the nose of enforcement wing of JDA.
Expressing concern over passive mode of higher ups on these alarming unauthorized constructions, one officer of JDA’s town planning section on condition of anonymity told JK Global News, “Unlawful constructions in contravention of building bye laws as well as JMP-2032 apart from inflicting a huge revenue loss to state exchequer results in haphazard growth and development of area. This shows that corruption has crossed all level in shielding unlawful constructions in JDA”.
For implementation of JMP-2032, the entire area in Karnail Chak, Jagti and Bajalta falls under the jurisdiction of JDA and the concerned enforcement inspector, namely Ramesh Kumar, is accountable for every single unauthorized construction as well as proliferation of illegal colonies in Karnail Chak, Jagti and Bajalta, added sources.
Aggrieved locals asserted that right from entrance to Phallian Mandal from Fourth Tawi Bridge to Karnail Chak, violators are allowed to construct buildings in broad daylight without CLU and approved building permission. These constructions evidently show the level of corruption prevailing in enforcement wing of JDA, alleged another villager of Karnail Chak.
The role of some enforcement officers and officials of JDA also came under scrutiny for being biased in acting against unlawful constructions. As per reports, there are instances where Enforcement Inspector, Ramesh Kumar and Enforcement Officer, Pankaj Sambyal swiftly sealed one illegally constructed premises at Bajalta within 10 days of initiating BOCA exercise. However, the role of duo is questionable, allegedly for not initiating sealing exercise of a commercial complex in Jagti owned by one Hardev Singh for 2 months from the date of issuance first notice, preferably allowing violator to accomplish constructing building up to desired level sans CLU and approved permission and manage status quo from the Court.
Insiders in JDA wishing anonymity reveals “From date of issuance of notice u/s 7(1) of COBO Act 1988, the JDA is bound to demolish or seal the unlawful construction within 20 days. If it delayed until violator compete construction upto desired level and acquired status quo from Court than its a clear case of corrupt practices”. Moreover, rather than exception, the allegations of corruption for patronizing illegitimate constructions and deferring reporting of illegal colonies remains a regular phenomenon in JDA”.
Sharing copies of dossiers of the then Vice-Chairman JDA, Pankaj Magotra, sources in JDA further said, “These official communications attribute to corruption flourishing over illegal constructions in Phallian Mandal and Jagti”. Even circular No. 03-JK (HUD) of 2020, dated 24-08-2020 issued by Jammu and Kashmir HUDD indicts the rot prevailing in JDA enforcement wing, he added.
Further explaining the modus operandi, reliable sources in JDA said, “In case, if a complaint arises against protected violators, a team of tainted officials in JDA gets activated to slow down action under BOCA law until the violators accomplished construction work and manage status quo from the Court.
So far, neither VC nor DLM have visited the spot to ascertain genuineness of allegations of patronizing large-scale illegal constructions inside one unlawful colony in Karnail Chak. The silence of higher ups against delinquent officials is also mind-blowing. Karnail Chak is the best case for Anti Corruption Bureau to decode khela of massive corruption flourishing by leaps and bounds on illegal constructions in JDA, added sources.
Denying role of police in sheltering unlawful constructions inside illegal colonies in Karnail Chak, Balbir Singh, in-charge police post, clarified that JDA is mandated with responsibility of zoning regulations under JMP-2032. Our roles begin when the latter approached the police for action under law against the violators. So far, we have received no communication from JDA in this context, he added.
Claiming innocence, enforcement inspector, Ramesh Kumar told JKGN, “Every illegal colony as well as unauthorized constructions in his area of deployment has been reported without failure. Executing sealing or demolition of unlawful constructions is the domain of Chief Enforcement Officer, Rashi Dutta and Enforcement Officer, Pankaj Sambyal”.
While Pankaj Sharma, VC JDA remained evasive on the issue, the newly posted DLM said “We are in process of sealing one controversial unauthorized commercial complex at Jagti in a couple of days and also planned a tour of Karnail Chak for on-spot assessment of proliferation of illegitimate constructions along both sides of road as well inside one unnamed illegal colony located opposite AVS enterprises and accordingly the violators as well as delinquent officials will face music of law”.