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| SMC's admission in denial 'confirms' hoarding scam | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Nov 27: Want to know how illegal constructions have mushroomed in Srinagar and why SMC has failed to act? Sample this: The SMC has officially admitted that a concrete construction came up illegally under its nose at the busy Hyderpora flyover here, which is frequented by the VIPs. And, despite having assured that the encroachment would be removed "in shortest possible time", the civic body failed to act, even after a fortnight of media campaign. The SMC has made this startling revelation, in response to a news story published in this newspaper on November 21, that the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has "illegally" allotted prime locations for installation of hoardings to a Kashmir-based advertising agency. In a "clarification", published in a section of media in Jammu and Kashmir, the SMC has termed the story "highly objectionable" and "disappointing" only to end up spilling the beans, which actually vindicate the Early Times news report.
The newspaper reported that the SMC has allotted locations along the Airport road and the Hyderpora national high-way for installation of hoardings, without any requisite tendering or clearance from the concerned agencies. The newspaper had made specific mention of Hydepora flyover, under which the huge hoarding, was constructed on concrete iron frame worth lakhs of rupees.
In response, the SMC said it has formally allotted some locations for installation of hoardings to M/S Helpline Advertising. However, in the same para, the SMC added that "Regarding installation of hoarding under Hyderpora Flyover in front of mural paintings, neither the corporation has issued any orders to said agency for installation of hoardings nor the said site is included in the list of sites enclosed with tender notice."
If the SMC had not issued formal orders for installation of the hoarding at this busy spot and was even not in the list of the sites, why was this construction work and subsequently installation of hoardings, allowed?
Is SMC so deep in slumber that it didn't come to know about the construction of encroachment on the square, which is frequented by VIPs including Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed? And why was not a concrete hoarding frame, which is a illegal construction, not removed at the very first instance, after media started to highlight the issue, a fortnight ago?
In its clarification, the SMC has exonerated the advertising agency for the construction of encroachments, which fetched business worth lakhs, as there's no mention of any action taken against the accused.
The SMC in its clarification has unduly dragged the name of a reputed media organization into the hoarding business, though it is no party to the affair. If someone is no party to ongoing illegal installation of hoardings, or any such deals, why to bring its name in the controversy for the sake of it?
Though having formally accepted that the hoardings are run illegally at such sites, the SMC is upset with Early Times. "The News item carried by the daily "Early Times" on Saturday 21st of Nov. 2015 regarding false allegation against Srinagar Municipal Corporation for allotment of hoarding space without following codal/legal procedures, is highly objectionable. It is disappointing to find that a news paper is practicing such journalism, and is misusing its position in maligning the image of honest and respected officers/officials of the State," the "clarification" reads. |
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