Goes slow against hotel owners near bus stand

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 19

The Patiala Municipal Corporation (MC) is yet to act against alleged illegal construction by the owners of Corner Hotel in the city. 

Officials say a report regarding the matter will be submitted to MC Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Khaira on Wednesday and appropriate action on a number of points will be initiated.

The corporation had earlier received a notice from the Public Works Department (PWD) regarding alleged illegal construction on the site in April, 2016, but the civic body failed to act on it for two years. The PWD letter demanded the MC to stop the alleged construction. Rather than acting against “change in its building plan”, the officials turned a blind eye to it. Later, after repeated complaints, the corporation sent a notice to the owner of the hotel on May 30 this year, demanding clarification regarding the extended construction.

As per the records accessed by The Tribune, a sale deed was signed by the Punjab Government and the proprietors of the hotel for sale of the land measuring 470.5 square yards for Rs 1,41,150 in October, 1987. The sale stated that the purchaser could not make additional constructions or additions to the present building without prior approval of the government. However, the proprietors had allegedly sold the land within the family after which a four-story structure was constructed on the site. Sources said the proprietors have submitted the required information to  the MC.

Municipal Corporation (MC) Joint Commissioner Ankur Mahendru said: “The Commissioner had marked an inquiry in the matter to me. I am preparing a detailed report on the matter which I will submit tomorrow. A number of points have come out on the matter which the Commissioner will act upon accordingly and necessary action will be taken.”