4 years on, this poor Charar-e-Sharief family awaits rehabilitation

In 2014 they were asked to leave their residential house after the authorities declared it unsafe. For their rehabilitation they were promised a small plot of land. 

This Charar-e-Sharief family after staying for four years outside their house since 2014, has now returned to their “unsafe home”. Reason: The authorities did not give allot them their promised 3 marla land despite ‘completion of all formalities’ by the family.

   

Muhammad Iqbal Shah of Gulshan Abad is working as driver in a private school. He is the breadwinner of his extended family comprising his wife, three daughters and old aged parents.

In 2014, he was ‘forced’ to leave his home situated at Charar-e-Sharief Karewas after two residential houses there had damaged due to soil erosion.

His home situated at the edge of Karewas was visited by various authorities and declared “unsafe.” The house is at the verge of collapse and the threat increases as and when it rains. 

In his report to deputy commissioner Budgam, the Tehsildar concerned has recommended the rehabilitation case of Shah. The project officer Charar-e-Sharief Development Project has also written to the office of deputy commissioner informing him that a strip of land for the rehabilitation of Shah has been identified at Alamdar Colony phase-I.

“I am a poor man and cannot afford to buy a plot of land for construction of my house. Whatever property I have, that is all this piece of land where my unsafe home is constructed,” said Shah.

In 2014, the authorities had shifted Shah along with his family to nearby government school building and assured that three marlas of land will be provided to him for his rehabilitation. 

“After staying for around two years in the school building, I was asked to leave and arrange some rented accommodation for my family. However, the assurance for rehabilitation was reiterated by the authorities,” Shah said.  

“I have completed all the formalities required for getting this land. The officials from Patwari to Tehsildar, all have recommended my case. Even, the authorities have identified the strip of land. Yet the allotment has not been made, the sanction for which is pending at the district commissioner’s office,” he said.

Deputy commissioner Budgam, Sehrish Asgar said she had no knowledge about this case. “Please tell Mr Shah to come to my office on Tuesday. I will look into the matter,” she assured.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

sixteen − seven =