Greater Kashmir: Srinagar: Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
The
construction of a building on a land alleged annexed in violation to the norms,
by the tourism department at Pampore has shocked the people. An RTI reply has
brought shocking facts to the fore. The department of tourism is shown as
having occupied the government land measuring two kanals approximately near
Hooen Mazar, Kadalbal Pampore under survey No 1733.
The irony is
that the department in violation of set norms has started constructing a
cafeteria on the illegally annexed land despite knowing that the land falls in
no-construction zone. The locals resented to the entire matter, but the tourism
authorities did not heed the public anger. The locals then filed an RTI before
the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama seeking a copy of allotment order (if any) of
the said land to tourism department.
The cabinet
order (if at all it was ever issued) paving way for such transfer was also
sought. The Deputy Commissioner forwarded the application to the concerned
tehsildar. He replied vide communication No: TP-OQ/356-57 dated 2/7/2018 saying,
“No Government order is available and no compensation has been received from
the tourism department.”
The tehsildar
further said that the former Deputy Commissioner Pulwama issued directions for
the construction of the tourist cafeteria. The tehsildar’s reply reflects how
brazenly government departments ignore rules. First land is annexed in
violation of the norms, and secondly a building is constructed on the land
without seeking permission of the concerned authorities. And, how the
departments supposed to keep an eye on land grab and illegal constructions gave
Tourism Department a go ahead?
The
government has to act now to convey a strong message to the land grabbers. If
no action is taken, the `war against land grabbers’ will stand defeated. This
is not the first time when land has been annexed at the aforementioned place.
Earlier a private entity grabbed a piece of prime government land but the
authorities took swift action and prevented the grab. If government is tough
against private entities, it has to be tougher against its own agencies.