Kashmir Digits

A committee has been constituted to probe 277 illegally constructed structures, including houses in Srinagar.

The six member panel has been constituted by Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Ajaz Asad to enquire into the illegal constructions in the district, reads an order ADC/K/PS/21-22/1161-62, issued on November 10.

The Deputy Commissioner has made Akshay Labroo (IAS) as the chairman of the committee and Rouf Rehman (KAS), who is currently serving as the Deputy Director Employment, as Co-chairman of the committee. The order adds that concerned Tehsildar, Khursheed Munshi (A.E), Naib Tehsildar Concerned and concerned Patwari are the other members of the committee.

“The committee shall enquire the matter on the spot and will submit the report along with recommendations within a period of 15 days. The committee may also scrutinise construction permissions if any issued by competent authority,” reads the order, 

Pertinently, the Government has identified 277 ‘illegal’ constructions that have been being raised in different areas of the city, including Karan Nagar, Qamarwari, Chattabal, HMT, Eidgah, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Nowpora, Barbarshah,  Pantha Chowk, Nowgam, Zakura, Gulab Bagh, Dal Lake, Harwan, Ishber, Nishat, Lalit Crossing, Danihama and Burzahama. The order lists names of the 277 people who have raised these properties.

The copy of the order has been forwarded to Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar and other concerned officers and officials.

The areas where ‘illegal’ constructions have come up fall within the jurisdiction of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Lake Conservation and Management Authority and other authoritative agencies.

The constitution of the panel by the administration comes in the backdrop of severe criticism of government’s alleged inaction in stopping rampant and illegal constructions in the city, especially around the water bodies.