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| Hotels constructed on residential permits; LAWDA silent | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Mar 21: The Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) has once again been caught on the wrong foot, as a major building permission scam has been exposed wherein residential permissions are being converted into commercial with the consent of LAWDA officials. Documents available with Early Times reveal that from 2012 to 2015 as many as 400 building permissions have been given in Ishber, Nishat, Brein, Shalimar and other adjoining posh areas of Srinagar, but many people who have been given permissions to construct houses have raised huge buildings mostly hotels.
The construction of hotels and guest houses is still on in residential colonies of Ishber, Deewan Colony, Nishat and its adjoining areas and the the authority which has been tasked to stop these illegal construction seems to be hand in glove with the violators. The officials of LAWDAare seen openly violating the Srinagar Master Plan by allowing these illegal constructions in residential areas from last more than a decade now. Residents of Nishat, Shalimar, Brein and other areas allege that LAWDA officials are busy in minting money from influential and rich people who are busy with construction of illegal guest houses and hotels in residential areas which are located around the famous Dal Lake. As per sources, as many as 100 such illegal buildings have come up in the area from the last two years which is clear violation of Srinagar Master Plan as well as the orders of J&K High Court.
ET Reporter visited Nishat, Ishber, Dewaan Colony, Hamzah Hills, Banigam, Chandpora, Arabal, Pahloo and other areas and found that many illegal multi-storied hotels have come up in these areas. "Permissions have been sought for these constructions, but that is meant for residential purposes not for hotels. Many buildings are still under construction. In-spite of getting complaints from locals and whistle-blowers these illegal constructions have not been stopped by the LAWDA which clearly reveals that officials of LAWDA are in hand and glove with the rule breakers," said a local resident of Dewan Colony.
Pertinent to mention that after facing the wrath of J&K High Court, the LAWDA was also taken to task by the State Information Commission (SIC) as the Secretary of LAWDA who is also the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the authority under State RTI Act was issued penalty show cause notices by the Information Commission (SIC) as he failed to provide information about illegal constructions to an information seeker.
The Enforcement Officer (EO) was also served with penalty notice, but after retirement of G R Sufi Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) the case was not followed up by the Information Commission.
"We appeal Information Commissioner Nazir Ahmad, State Vigilance Commission and Advisors to Governor to act against the people who undertake illegal constructions in our area," said Nazir Ahmad Mir a resident of Nishat. |
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