Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 27: In order to prevent Gulmarg from encroachments and illegal constructions, the High Court today directed the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) to take action against the lease holders and hoteliers who have done violations and encroachments.
Observing to the GDA officers who were present before the Court that wherever violations have been made whether in respect of lease land or buildings have been raised in violation of regulations and Master Plan, action against the violators is taken without any wait.
Hearing PIL on saving of Gulmarg tourist resort from all encroachments which have taken place for the last more than two decades in and around Gulmarg, the Division Bench of Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice M K Hanjura sought the list of lease holders and hoteliers by tomorrow who have been found encroached upon the lease land apart from the land which has been allotted on lease to them.
The CEO GDA submitted to the Court that the notices under relevant Sections have been issued to the violators in this regard and action taken was also sought.
Court also observed that the concerned authorities are not alive to the importance of the job they has been assigned and emphasized on all the authorities to take all the measures for safeguarding of such kind of resort which is famous throughout the world.
It is mentioned here that the permission for repairs and renovations of structures in and around the Ski resort were previously kept in abeyance by the Court with the saying that these permissions have prima facie been granted in violation of the law.
“Court directed all those in whose favour these permissions have been granted, not to act on them and shall not make any kind of repairs, renovation or construction on the strength of these permissions”, court had earlier directed.
Authorities previously were directed, to take action in accordance with law and in terms of Court orders against the encroachers and all the illegal encroachments in and around the Gulmarg and take the possession of the retrieved property.
It may be mentioned that Court has already made it clear that if any person violates the Court direction and continues with the constructional activities, then aforesaid authorities (GDA) shall forthwith seal such structure.
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