Illegal constructions still on under MC’s nose

Kuldip Bhatia 

Ludhiana, April 23

Even after drawing flak from various quarters for its inaction against violation of building norms, especially the construction of illegal commercial buildings across the city, the Municipal Corporation, it seems, has not come out of its deep slumber. 

Either due to complicity of the violators or else just lack of will to perform their duty, the enforcement staff (read employees/officials of the building branch) of the MC continues seem to have to close their eyes to the thriving illegal construction activity.

In a complaint to the Punjab Minister for Local Bodies, the Principal Secretary, Local Government, Director of Local Bodies, Chief Vigilance Officer of the Local Government Department and the Municipal Commissioner, Society for Public Welfare and Awareness president Simratpal Singh Kalsi has said shops, commercial complex and industrial sheds were being constructed in a residential colony located in Kot Mangal Singh (in zone-C) and the MC action against the grave (non-compoundable) violation was confined only to papers.

He said, “For reasons only known to them, Assistant Town Planner Harwinder Singh and building inspector (of the area) Kuljit Singh Mangat have issued challans under Sections 269 (1) and 270 (1) against the builder for carrying out illegal construction (commercial buildings in residential colony). The violations are non-compoundable even under the provisions of one-time settlement policy — currently in force for compounding of violations — and such constructions are liable to be demolished after giving notice to the builder as per law,”

Kalsi alleged that officials of building branch of the MC – responsible for checking violations and ensure regulated construction in accordance with the building bylaws – were apparently working in cahoots with those flouting the building norms, thereby defeating the very purpose of their deputation.

He has urged the state government to order a probe into these illegal construction activities and also to take exemplary action against the guilty officials who had failed to stop the construction activity when it was started and thereafter had given a long rope to the builder without carrying out demolition of illegal construction, which was required under the building norms.