“Video shows Officials in Nexus with crooked citizens, Insiders say Mantris too Involved.”
Srinagar: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) which is allegedly known for its corrupt practices is in news again, this time with a video proof which could be a major jolt to government’s inquiry into the Master Plan violations in the past.
The Video cleary shows how scores of fresh ‘illegal’ constructions are going on in the City in nexus with SMC officials.
From Ahmed Nagar in north City to Rawalpora in the south, to places like Lal-chowk, Jawahar Nagar, Gogji bagh and Raj Bagh in between, the constructions are going on “hassle free”, literally under the nose of the civic body and stand tall in violation of building bylaws with the municipal authorities showing their helplessness in stopping the same.
The Kashmir scenario is in possession of such a video which depicts how a corrupt officer of SMC is in nexus with the city residents who violate construction laws in Srinagar city and is demanding the money for the illegal construction thus allows illegal encroachers to carry on their business against hefty sums.
Reportedly, the administration in Srinagar has officially admitted rise in Master Plan violations and government land grab. Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Commissioner Showkat Ahmed Zargar has said that there has been a “considerable increase in illegal constructions in Srinagar City.”
The revelation has come to the fore in a letter, which the SMC Commissioner has sent to the Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar seeking police protection.
“The matter regarding providing of police assistance has assumed significance in view of considerable increase in illegal constructions in Srinagar city. It has become difficult for the Corporation to effect demolitions of these commercial structures that have mostly come up under the garb of reconstructions/repair of residential houses following floods of 2014,” reads the letter, vide number SMC/PS/COM/4071-76, written by SMC Commissioner to the police.
Sources reveal three PDP Ministers are also allegedly patronising the illegal construction of malls and have deliberately advised the SMC to write a letter for seeking police assistance in demolitions so that the issue of illegal constructions to be treated as the law and order problem.
“They are instructing the violators to resort to stone pelting and anti-Government sloganeering whenever any demolition takes place so that SMC is directed officially to shun demolition in the interest of maintenance of peace in Srinagar. Even worse Standing instructions have been issued to the higher ups not to interfere in the constructions of shopping malls, shops and houses in these area. As such no official dares to seek permission from the people carrying out construction and there is total anarchy in the area, One of the illegal shopping complexes was inaugurated by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) minister who turned out to be one of the giant killers in the last year’s assembly elections. The constructions in the area are being regularly monitored by the local legislators and they ensure that there is no hindrance in the whole process,” said sources.
Sources in the SMC said the families whose houses had to be relocated under the expansion of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway, had applied for permission of residential houses but are constructing commercial complexes instead. Also at colonies like Raj Bagh, Jawahir Nagar, Barzulla and Mahjoor Nagar in the civil lines, the allegedly illegal constructions are going at full swing. Similar is the scene in Hyderpora, Rawalpora and Nowgam areas, most of the allegedly illegal commercial complexes are coming up through misuse of building permission granted by the civic body.
“Many of the building permission cases were approved by the BOCA for construction of residential houses. But, instead commercial complexes are being constructed in nexus with the ground officials which is brazen violation of the municipal norms, Interestingly, to ensure speedy completion, the work is going on day-and-night.” the sources said.
Despite repeated attempts SMC Commissioner, Showkat Ahmad Zargar could not be contacted. However, some time back he had claimed that SMC had carried out demolition drive in the various areas of city.
The Kashmir scenario will reveal all these videos in coming days.