Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 2: As the constructions in and around Dal lake are banned, the authorities of the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) are constructing concrete structures on the banks of lake in violation of the High Court orders.
The authorities had applied for permission from the High Court for the constructions on the banks of the lake last month, which is still lying with the Court while the authorities have started constructions illegally.
The demolition squad of the Lakes and Waterways Develo-pment Authority (LAWDA) which went to the SKICC was not allowed in initially by the authorities to carry out demolition of the structure. However, later they managed to get in and demolish part of the illegal structure and asked them to stop it with immediate effect.
However, the authorities re-started the constructions forcing the Court Commissioners to intervene. Sources said that the Court Commissioners visited the site and asked the authorities to stop the illegal construction on the banks of the lake with immediate effect. They said the construction was stopped that day but next day it was re-started by the SKICC authorities without honouring the directions of the Court Commissioners.
The illegal construction by SKICC authorities comes at a time when, the LAWDA is demolishing illegal structures in and around the Dal lake as per the directions of the High Court for conservation of the lake. The High Court has been intervening in the conservation of the Dal lake for last 15 years but Government officials disregarded the court directions leading to illegal constructions in and around the lake.
Director SKICC, Yasmeen Khan, when asked about the illegal constructions raised inside the SKICC, initially said that she has no knowledge about any such constructions on the banks of the lake inside the SKICC. “I have no knowledge about the constructions. I was busy for a couple of days. We have applied permission for the constructions and are waiting for the court orders”, she said.
However, later she said that it is a Government of India scheme for which money has come and it had to be utilized. “It is Musical fountain. It is Government of India scheme for which money has come. We are in touch with the LAWDA officials”, she added.
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