Master Plan Violations Follow-up

Srinagar, Apr 19: The state government plans to impose a fine on the violators who have constructed buildings in violation of the Srinagar Master Plan. This was resolved at a high level meeting chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand Monday, official sources said adding the Minister has sought action against two officials associated with the enforcement wings of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA).
 The Deputy Chief Minister, who is also the Minister for Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD), is learnt to have chaired the meeting at SKICC, which amongst others was attended by Vice-Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority, Kifayat Hussain Rizvi and Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Me’raj Ahmed Kakroo.
 The meeting, as per the sources, was called to discuss the fate of some 2400 cases of Master Plan violations reported in Srinagar.
 As per insiders, the meeting, which lasted for around three hours, witnessed a heated debate on the violations with blame-game among officials of the two key organizations–the SMC and SDA with the latter supporting the views of the Minister.
 Sources said: “The moment the meeting started the invitees were informed that only the HODs should stay back while the rest of the officials may leave the boardroom for confidential reasons.”
 Soon, the Minister started grilling the SMC particularly the Chief Khilafwarzi Officer for having failed to maintain the Master Plan recommendations.
  “He (Tara) said the civic body was largely responsible for having allowed the violations to come up,” they added.
 Pointing towards the SMC official, Tara is learnt to have accused him of failure in performing the assigned duties.
 “He (Chief Khilafwarzi Officer) pleaded that he wasn’t the only person dealing with the Khilafwarzis (violations) but there was a set procedure and hierarchy including building inspectors, ward officers, field officers involved in the job,” said an insider. 
 “Moreover, most of the violations date back to ‘90s while I have assumed the charge just last year,” he quoted Khilafwarzi officer of having said.
 With the Minister pulling up the civic body, a senior SDA official supported his views and it was resolved that action be taken against the Chief Khilafwarzi Officer.
 “You people are responsible for spoiling the city,” officials from the SDA accused the SMC authorities triggering a blame-game.
 “Set your own house in order before making remarks about others. You too are to be equally blamed for allowing gross violations in the local area along the Panthachowk-Parimpora bypass under SDA jurisdiction,” the SMC delegates responded.
 “In the meantime,” the insiders said, “Somebody whispered that two illegal constructions were going on unabated at Rajbagh on government patronage adding the H&UDD was silent on the issue.”
 This led to chaos for some minutes till the gossip died down. Finally, the Deputy Chief Minister said the SMC alone couldn’t be blamed.
 “He finally sought action against the Chief Khilafwarzi Officer SMC and the Enforcement Officer, SDA,” said a senior official.
 A senior official while confirming the development said the duo was likely to be transferred.
 Pertinently, last year, Tara had sought an inquiry into the Master Plan violations, a preliminary report was handed over to him in January 2010.
 For the first few weeks, Tara had been threatening of strict action, which could amount to demolition of the “illegal structures” in the City including hundreds of shops on the Hyderpora highway. However, of late he seems to have calmed down and is exploring various lenient options to punish the violators.
 Despite repeated attempts, the Dy CM couldn't be contacted for comment.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST