Matto pitted against JCP as Commissioner empowers him
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 25: As Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) went tough against the illegal constructions in the city with a Task Force formed by the SMC Commissioner demolishing several illegal structures, the Mayor has sought removal of JCP Planning and his repatriation to Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD).
Commissioner SMC, Athar Amin Khan, last week formed a Task Force of seven officials of the SMC headed by the JCP, Ghulam Hassan Mir, to look into illegal constructions, deviations and conversion of residential buildings into commercial in Srinagar city. He has also ordered their demolition and recovery of the money lost by such constructions from delinquent SMC officials.
The Task Force led by JCP Mir during last few days demolished several illegal structures that were coming up during lockdown allegedly with the active connivance of some Municipal officials and Corporators. The drive that was started on May 21 will continue till June 6.
Mir recently cancelled a building permission that was illegally issued by former JCP on the recommendations of higherups in the SMC in Narkara wetland in Srinagar outskirts without NOC from Irrigation Department. The person had deposited Rs 1.33 crore as building permission fee.
As the committee has gone tough against the violators, Srinagar Mayor, Junaid Azim Matto has sought removal of JCP Mir and his repatriation to Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD).
In a letter to Commissioner SMC, Mayor has enclosed a representation signed by 61 Corporators of SMC- has sought enacting of Section 46 (2) and 50 (b) of J&K Municipal Corporation Act 2000, which deal with appointment of Joint Commissioners and functions of the Commissioner respectively.
“The approval of the Corporation for the appointment of Ghulam Hassan Mir, Joint Commissioner (Planning) is hereby rejected by the Corporation under Section 46 (2) of the J&K Municipal Corporation Act 2000″, read the letter.”
Mayor has sought appointment of a new JCP and requested Commissioner SMC to immediately relieve Mir of his charge as the JCP.
However, several Corporators said that they have not signed any such representation that seeks removal of the JCP.
One of the Corporators Waheed Dar has supported Khan and Mir for launching anti-encroachment drive. “Me & my Corporators support honest commissioner @AtharAmirKhan&JCP Gh Hassan Mir against loot but thieves and dacoits have felt the heat. Lets stop illegal constructions & save poor people from getting looted. @manojsinha-@PMOIndia @HMOIndia @nitishKumar now decide who is thug(sic)”, Dar tweeted.
SMC Commissioner refused to comment on the issue of Mayor seeking removal of JCP who is heading the anti-encroachment drive. “It is an administrative matter and I don’t want to comment on this”, he told Excelsior.
Srinagar Mayor, however, didn’t respond to repeated calls from Excelsior.
JCP Mir on Mayor recommending his removal from SMC told Excelsior that he has stopped illegal constructions in the city that is why his removal is being sought.
“I shut doors for building permission/illegal constructions brokers in the city and have become eye-sore for these people who are hell bent in spoiling Srinagar city”, he said.
“Lot of wrong building permissions were granted in 2018 and 2019 under the influence of these vested interests who are now under scrutiny. The city is being ruined by allowing illegal constructions, deviations of building permissions and wrong building permissions”, he added.
Mir said that there used to be a strong nexus between official and non-official in building permission and construction activity which was strongly curbed when “I took over as JCP”. “Last year even my office was locked by Deputy Mayor for several months but I didn’t budge”, he said.
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