KL Report
SRINAGAR
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Thursday asked the state government to file a report on basics of its policy decision vis-à-vis violations in Srinagar Master Plan and a separate report on its proposed action against officers of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) who have allegedly facilitated these violations.
Although the advocate general of Jammu and Kashmir Mohammad Ishaq Qadri had sought two months time, but the Court gave a week’s period to the state government to come with its reports, said Kashmir News Service Correspondent.
The court also refused to accept the government prayer that owners of 42 structures which have been sealed by the SMC sofar be allowed to operate their business till the government comes with its proposed policy decision. The Court said that it will decide about de-sealing of structures only after the government comes with its preliminary report by or before November 8.
The government also informed that Court that it proposes to take a strong action against the officers or officials who have facilitated the violations in Srinagar Master Plan wither by way of issuing terminations orders, premature retirement orders or framing inquiry committee to look into the matter. According to Kashmir News Service correspondent, the Court was briefed by the advocate general that the government will submit a report in this regard by or before the next date of hearing.
A report prepared in 2009 had revealed that there are 2500 structures in Srinagar which have come up in violation of master plan guidelines. However, the secretary UDD had told Kashmir News Service that no such report is in his knowledge.
Pertinently, the Srinagar Master Plan is applicable to a total of 417 square kilometers and out of this 160 square kilometers are looked after by Srinagar Development Authority (SDA). Rest of the square kilometers comes under the jurisdiction of SMC.
