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| PDA likely to provide 'NOCs' to illegal huts, hotels in Pahalgam | | Influential violators arm-twist PDA to constitute committee | | Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
anantnag, Dec 5: At a time when state is witnessing Assembly elections, Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) in nexus with Tourism Department has started providing 'No Objection Certificates' to those hoteliers who have raised the structures illegally in Pahalgam and its adjoining areas.
It is also evident from the fact that the developmental authority has constituted a committee with the purpose to provide NOCs to violators who have raised the structures illegally in past two years in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of Pahalgam where High Court has banned the constructions.
Sources inside the developmental authority told Early Times that providing No Objection Certificates to hotels and huts raised illegally will legalize them, however, they said that such move is against the High Court direction which has put a blanket ban over the constructions in Pahalgam and adjoining areas.
"These constructions are illegal but if PDA along with Revenue and Flood Control department succeeded in manipulating the documents and provided them the NOC's they (Constructions) will go automatically legalized," officials wishing anonymity said.
They revealed that Pahalgam Development Authority has succumbed to political pressure and has roped in the Revenue and Flood Control Department for ensuring 'No objection certificates' to violators' on time by constituting a committee.
Social and environment activists in Pahalgam told Early Times that the violators in Gujran Batkoot and Movera areas have applied for registrations of their illegally constructed huts and hotels. "We fail to understand why can PDA constitute a committee despite they know the very fact that these constructions have been raised illegally," Reyaz Ahmad, an activist, said.
He said that Revenue, Flood Control, Tourism and Pahalgam Development Authority in nexus with influential violators are disrespecting High Court directions.
Chief Executive Officer, Pahalgam Development Authority Pahalgam, Mohd Yousf when contacted assured that no 'NOC' will be given to any violator.
"Some people have reportedly approached Tourism department and have applied for registration. Based on it the department has asked us to provide NOC's to these applicants. But we can't provide NOC's to any applicant before collecting the documental evidence that they have raised the structures before the master plan." He said, adding Tourism department has written them for NOC's.
He said that NOC's will be given to only those who have raised the structures before the areas were notified and have the acquired BOCCA permission.
Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Shalinder Kumar when contacted denied having knowledge about it and said, "I don't have any idea about the issue so I can only comment over it."
Pertinently, Taj Mohi-ud-Din's son-in-law, Tariq Ahmad Tang is among the violators who is reportedly all set to get NOC from the Developmental authority.
As per post flood assessment by various government and non-governmental agencies, illegal constructions close to river banks and in environmentally sensitive areas were a major cause for flood damages in Pahalgam. |
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