‘Work of all major colonies allotted to junior favourites’
Committee fails to meet timeline for record reconstruction
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Jan 29: The Crime Branch (CB) probe into missing of large number of files from the Allotment Section of the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) has yet not reached the logical conclusion even after the lapse of considerable time since the registration of FIR.
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Moreover, a committee of officers constituted by the Housing and Urban Development Department has failed to meet the timeline for reconstruction of missing record. On the other side, favouritism galore in the distribution of work of major colonies of the Authority and frequent visits of certain outsiders remain unchecked despite the fact that such a practice in the past had led to missing of record.
The preliminary verification was started by the Crime Branch Jammu after the Housing and Urban Development Department Vide Letter No. HUD-JDA/43/2023 dated August 31, 2023 requested Special DGP Crime Branch J&K for a detailed investigation into the misplacement of large number of original record/files from the Allotment Section of Jammu Development Authority.
During the preliminary verification, the Crime Branch laid hands on evidences which form cognizable offence and accordingly formal FIR was registered in the middle of last year. However, the investigation has yet not reached the logical conclusion, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
“There is no major headway in locating the missing record and identification of the culprits, who have created numerous problems for the allottees of plots in different colonies of JDA”, sources further said. It has also been reliably learnt that concerned officers of the Jammu Development Authority are not extending necessary cooperation to the Investigating Officers of the Crime Branch.
It is pertinent to mention here that Allotment Section of Jammu Development Authority primarily deals with the allotment cases of residential plots, commercial properties, allotment of land parcels etc and missing of large number of original files from the repository is a matter of grave concern.
Further, a committee of officers constituted by the Housing and Urban Development Department for reconstruction of the missing record has failed to meet the timeline for completion of much-needed exercise.
The committee framed vide Govt Order No.144-JK(HUD) of 2023 dated August 31, 2023 was under direction to ensure reconstruction of the record within one year—by August 31, 2024. Moreover, the committee was supposed to submit monthly progress report to the Administrative Department in this regard.
“We are reconstructing the record as and when someone whose record is missing approaches us”, said an officer of Jammu Development Authority. However, there was no reply when asked about whether the reconstructed record was placed in the public domain as was directed by the Administrative Department.
Meanwhile, prevailing situation in Jammu Development Authority is fraught with the risk of another scam as only few favourites have been given charge of all the major colonies by ignoring senior officials. Further, frequent visits of certain influential outsiders have raised concerns over the secrecy in the functioning of the Authority, sources informed.
Quoting an example, they said, “Junior Assistant Suram Chand, who is at the bottom of the seniority list, was dealing with Allotment Section of Trikuta Nagar Housing Colony, Bahu Plaza, General Bus Stand, Gandhi Plaza and Transport Nagar when the Administrative Department issued directions for rotation of staff to avoid development of vested interests”.
In compliance of the directions, he was shifted to Establishment Section of Secretary JDA in the month of January 2024. However, in the month of December 2024 he was given additional charge of EWS Colony Lower Roop Nagar, Upper Roop Nagar, Rajinder Nagar Colony and Transport Nagar on the plea of fast track movement of files in the Allotment Section.
Similarly, one Sanjeev, also Junior Assistant, who was attached in Director Land Management Section in the month of January 2024 for his failure to perform duties which led to unauthorized constructions on Jammu-Akhnoor Road in Domana-Mishriwala area of Tehsil Jammu North, has recently been ordered to look after the area of Tehsil Bhalwal and Tehsil Jammu South in Khilafwarzi Section.
“Moreover, frequent visit of certain influential persons to some selected sections of JDA is being promoted instead of being curbed and some of them even managed transfer of plots in their favour in Paloura area despite the fact that this was not being done in the past by those at the helm of affairs in JDA”, sources informed.
None of the officers of the Jammu Development Authority was available for comments on the prevailing situation even after repeated telephonic calls.
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