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| Illegal construction in Pahalgam unabated; Retired SSP, DC lead the contempt | | PDA shows scant regard to HC directions | | Saahil Suhail
Pahalgam, May 1 : With Pahalgam Development Authority virtually turning into mafia, People having political and bureaucratic patronage are giving final touches to their illegally constructed huts and hotels at this famous tourist destination of Kashmir despite State High Court ban, While as new constructions are also taking place with impunity.
Leading from the front top bureaucrats including a retired SSP had made his illegally constructed hotel operational, While as retired Deputy Commissioner is all set to complete the same in coming days as work on his illegal construction site is on in double shift. Locals told Early Times that the PDA which has been entrusted with the responsibility of checking the violations in line with the directions of the High Court has actually got hand in glove with the violators.
"There is no ban on construction, who told you? Anyone who can pay them and other departments will construct hotel or hut whatever, wherever he wishes. They are not allowing me as they demand more than that I have spent on buying the land here" said an aged man near Pahalgam Rafting point whishing anonymity. In the same area, a former Deputy Commissioner is constructing his hotel. "It will require only few days to complete the work as the laborers are working in a double shift." said a local here. Ironically, all those who have completed the construction including retired SSP Mushtaq Ahmad Kanu last year, have made their hotels and huts operational illegally, said sources. They said after some complaints reached Director Tourism in this regard, he directed the concerned officer to close down the hotels and huts operating illegally.
"We received a direction from Director's office in this regard and acting upon the direction all of them who had made their hotels and huts operational illegally were fined" said an employee of the Tourism department posted in Pahalgam. However concerned officer was transferred only after two days that too when Model code of conducted is in place.
It is worthwhile to mention that as per SRO 258 issued vide govt. Notification No. TSM/INC/78/ 2013 dated 16-05-2013 Pahalgam Development Authority has expanded its ban to nine villages which include, Movera, Veersern, Yaneer, Serchain, Gujaran Batkkot, Batakoot, Ganishpora, HurduKichroo and Amard Wargd partly. Sources revealed that due to nexus between officers in Pahalgam Development Authority with top politicians and businessmen, construction of huts and hotels is continuing in almost every banned area. Chief Executive officer, Pahalgam Development Authority, Reyaz Ahmad Wani who was allegedly key culprit in infamous multi-crore Kishtwar food scam avoided to attend the repeated calls. |
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