M HYDERI
Srinagar, Sept 27: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has failed check the ongoing alleged illegal constructions in the city. Anyone who wants to register a complaint against the ongoing spree of illegal constructions is asked by the SMC officials to drop-in at the SMC head office at Karan Nagar and submit a written complaint: Only then the civic body can be awakened.
 The SMC diktat to respond to “illegal constructions” comes at a time when civilian movement is often hindered by restrictions particularly curfews.
 The complaint, according to the officials, is handed over to the commissioner for “further processing”.
 For a follow-up of the application, one may have to again visit the Karan Nagar office and seek an appointment with the Commissioner, which is obviously subject to his availability.
The written plea
 Following public complaints that the SMC babus were turning a blind eye towards the construction spree, this scribe pretended to be a complainant and knocked the SMC doors.
 Even though nobody was ready to act without a written complaint, a SMC official who patiently listened to this reporter, was courteous enough to give the mobile number of the SMC commissioner saying that he only could be of some help.
Hello Commissioner!
 This scribe, in disguise, called the Commissioner, SMC.
SMC: Hello
GK: Hello Ji is this Commissioner SMC.
SMC: Ji.
GK: Ji I am from Nowgam and own a shop in Parimpora area where a lot of illegal constructions are coming up.
SMC: You come to office and file a complaint. (The voice at the other end said and instantly dropped the phone).
 Another attempt but the call is disconnected at the other end.
 Another attempt: Call not replied.
 Third attempt: no response.
Fourth attempt.
SMC: Hello.
GK: Hello Sir please listen to me for a minute I came to your office five times.
SMC: Why didn’t you meet me?
GK: I tried but I was told I can’t meet you.
SMC: You give a complaint in writing.
GK: Aren’t you commissioner sahib?
SMC: You give a complaint in writing. I don’t have so much of time that I keep listening to complaints. (Phone dropped again)
 Another attempt: no response.
 Another attempt: no response.
 Third attempt: successful.
SMC: Hello.
GK: Hello Jinab can’t you send your team to Parimpora to check for  themselves the constructions?
SMC: Bhai how come are you making calls again and again?
GK: Sir I am making complaints as a citizen.
SMC: Chalo hum nay note kar liya kiss jagah hai?
GK: Parimpora highway where lot of illegal constructions (phone dropped again, midway)
The violations
 Scores of “illegal constructions” are reportedly coming up in the City. The violations are being seen as a major setback to government’s inquiry into the Master Plan violations.
 At almost all the areas in the City, be it Soura and Ellahi Bagh in north City to Rawalpora in the south, to places like Jawahir Nagar, Padshahi Bagh and Raj Bagh in between, the constructions are going on.
 The SMC officials, as per insiders, are aware of the issue but have declined to act taking the cover of the ongoing unrest in Kashmir.
 At Parimpora many commercial complexes are coming up through alleged misuse of building permissions. Sources in the SMC said while the permissions were given for residential houses, commercial complexes are coming up.
Tara’s dream shattered
 Pertinently, last year, following complaints of Master Plan violations in the City, in the past years, the Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand had sought a time bound report into the matter.
 The committee, had identified over 1000 illegal structures in the City while the Deputy Chief Minister had said that stern action would be taken against the officials responsible for the violations.
 Even though the inquiry into the Master Plan violations was expected to serve as a deterrent against future violations, the ongoing spree of constructions seems to have given the setback to the government endeavour!

Lastupdate on : Mon, 27 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST