Ludhiana MC building branch officials again draw flak for inaction

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, June 15

Facing flak from several quarters over allegations such as connivance with builder mafia, bowing to political pressure and failure to take action on brazen violations of building bylaws, officials and staff of the building branch of the Municipal Corporation is in the line of fire once again for ignoring illegal commercial activity in RR Bhardwaj Market on Gill Road here.

In a complaint with the Principal Secretary, Local Government Department, Punjab, a city-based social activist Simratpal Singh Kalsi said officials of the building branch were hand in glove with booth/shop owners of the market and had given them a long rope for committing violation of all kinds.

“Most of the booth owners have covered the corridor (walking area) in front of their booths/shops with lintels and have illegally extended area of their establishments while also violating standard designs. In the name of action, only notices are sent, and that too when specific complaints are lodged and thereafter it is business as usual,” said the complaint.

Kalsi alleged that an eating joint in the market had extended his booth by covering area of corridor and complaint was lodged with the MC building branch two booths of the outlet were sealed by the field staff. “However, in a shocking manner, the seals were removed the very next day and the outlet was permitted to operate after just issuing a notice to clear the encroachment and illegal extension,” the complainant asserted.

Claiming that the building branch officials and staff were in cahoots with the violators, Kalsi said it was quite evident from the fact that even after the booth owner had given an undertaking for not covering the corridor in front of the shop, he had gone ahead with illegal extension and unlawful construction.

Seeking a thorough probe into violations galore in the said market and specifically by the owner of eating joint, the complainant maintained that the truth must be brought before the public as to whether these violations were ignored due to political pressure or for personal financial gains by the MC staff and officials.

ATP Satish Malhotra confirmed violation of building norms and alteration of standard design by several booth/shop owners in the market. He said final notices were being issued and all illegal extensions would be demolished very soon.