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| PDA blocks ‘implementation’ of PM Modi’s housing scheme | | In 5 years, 5 out of 227 PMAY cases cleared in Pahalgam | | Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
Anantnag, May 28: The Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district has literally blocked the implementation of Prime Minister Modi’s Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) Scheme at Pahalgam.
The Development Authority, which was created to take care of the development of famed tourist destination Pahalgam-is allegedly adopting lackadaisical approach in issuing the permissions to beneficiaries.
According to official sources, out of 227 approved and verified PMAY cases, the PDA has cleared just 5 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana cases in its 11th BOCA meeting.
The Development Authority has also failed to convey BOCA meetings frequently for issuing building permissions to the people who were deprived from constructing shelter homes in the last ten years.
The officials said that PDA has conveyed just eleven (11) BOCA meetings since the year 2017 for issuing buildings permission. “In first five meetings, the BOCA chairman didn’t clear any case and in rest of the meetings around 60 cases were cleared a majority among them were just for repairing and renovating already existing structures,” they said.
In 2017, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court restored BOCA and directed Pahalgam Development Authority to issue permissions strictly according to Pahalgam Master Plan.
“In so far as the permissible areas are concerned, any fresh construction would be permitted only in terms of the Master Plan by the BOCA,” reads the order issued by J&K High Court a copy of which lies with Early Times.
According to Development Act, the officials at PDA said, the Development Authority is bound to convey BOCA meetings fortnightly.
“The BOCA meetings were being deliberately delayed as there are many people around including officers of several departments who have vested interests and are enchasing the construction ban orders,” alleged PDA officials.
They alleged that the local population was being ‘terrorized’ at the pretext of construction ban by the PDA and other government departments.
“Why Master Plan isn’t being implemented in Kokernag, Acahabal, Verinag, Aharbal, Anantnag Town and other places? Why are people of Pahalgam being made to suffer?” questioned locals
Municipal Committee President Pahalgam Owais Ahmad Sheikh told Early Times that they were facing immense pressure from the public as the PDA has cleared just five cases since 2015.
“This scheme was launched in 2015 and so far this scheme hasn’t benefited any poor family at Pahalgam just because the Pahalgam Development Authority wasn’t conveying a BOCA meeting,” he said, adding that they have written to the Government but no action has been taken till date.
The 11th BOCA meeting was held at Pahalgam Golf Course on 25th of July 2020 since then PDA hasn’t conveyed any meeting despite notifying dates for 12th BOCA meeting.
On 5-11-2020, Chief Executive Officer Pahalgam Development Authority, who is also Member Secretary of BOCA, issued a notification for 12th BOCA meeting.
However, the meeting was later cancelled and new dates were notified. On 17 March 2021, the 12th BOCA meeting was again cancelled and since then PDA hasn’t issued any date for the meeting.
Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Dr Piyush Singal, who is chairman of BOCA, wasn’t available for a comment as he didn’t respond to telephone calls. |
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