G S Asgotra
Early Times Report
Jammu, June 3: Despite being aware about illegal construction going on unabated in Green Buffer Area of Patnitop, the Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) has failed to take action against violators, the reasons best known to authority concerned.
As per RTI reply furnished by PDA after the intervention of State Information Commission (SIC) to an RTI seeker, the authority disclosed that more than dozen illegal concrete structures have been raised on Green Buffer Area including hotels, residential houses and cottage under following Khasara numbers.
"As per Master Plan, these following Khasara numbers that come under Green Buffer area are as: Khasara no. 108 (part), 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 119, 120, 121, 131, 166, 187 (part), 204 (part), 205, 206, 214, 300 and 301 wherein some illegal structures were raised/erected by local occupant", mentioned in the RTI reply."
The RTI reply reads as in Khasra Number 108 (part) - a part of commercial building of Smt. Maryam Begum (Forest view) was constructed, in Khasra Nos. 109-110 - Building, House, Cow shed, Shops of Shamim Ahmed and family whereas in Khasra No. 113- Retaining wall of Forest View and Part of new Hut were raised illegally.
Besides, in Khasra Number, 120, 166, 300 and 301, a residential house of Ghulam Ahmed and Family and some other locals have also constructed their residential house under the nose of PDA authority but the authority has failed to vacate it from the possession of illegal occupant, the reply reads as.
Whereas at Khasara NO's - 187 (part), the Hostel Sekhari Bhawan was constructed and in Khasara No-204 (part) one building constructed prior to the existence of PDA on Green Buffer part (Shiva Cottage) and Retaining wall with gate of Mr. Jain and other open land. "Sharma Restaurant with rooms of Mr. Rajiv Sharma was constructed on Khasra number 205 and one another new building of Shiva Cottage was also erected on Khasara No.-206."
The question arise if the authority is being aware regarding illegal construction on Green Buffer Zone why it has hesitated to take action against them, said RTI seeker and added that due to involvement of some politicians and big business man, the authority showing leniency in favour of them.
It is pertinent to mention here that on dated 04/10/2017 an RTI seeker, Harcharan Singh resident of Trikuta Nagar, filed an RTI application before PDA and sought information regarding.
1. Which area of Patnitop falls under Green Buffer Area, provide with full details along with Khasra No.'s. 2. As per Master Plan of Patnitop which Green area falling in entire patnitop have construction on them. 3. Whether the construction done on Green Buffer areas is legal or illegal.
"Initially, the PIO furnished confusing reply but the authority admitted that the construction of green buffer area is illegal and asked one some illegal construction is being raised by Hotel Forest View on Green Buffer area. Thereafter the RTI seeker filed first appeal and then filed second appeal before State Information Commission", the seeker said.
After second appeal, the SIC rebuked to PDA and asked them go through the entire documents and published relevant information by constituting five member committee including four of them from PDA and one is appellant, Harcharan Singh and finally the authority revealed all the names of illegal occupant but being aware about it, they have failed to initiate action against them under law. |
