J&K vigilance panel orders demolition of commercial complex

Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Commission today directed authorities to demolish a part of a commercial complex constructed here in deviation from the plan approved by municipal authorities.
"State Vigilance Commission (SVC) has directed Administrative Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) to take action in the matter and ensure that deviations in approved building plan made during construction are removed besides taking legal action against the violator," a spokesman of the commission said.
The commission had adjudicated upon a complaint of violation of building permission norms and the parameters of Srinagar Master Plan by one Mohd Ahsan Rather during construction of two residential buildings at Hyderpora.

The commission observed that negligent approach has been adopted by the authorities of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation in getting the stay order vacated from the court and reprimanded the Commissioner, SMC and concerned field functionaries of the corporation for this "wilful laxity".
The commission had received a complaint wherein it was alleged that Mohd Ahsan Rather, in connivance with the officials of SMC, has violated the norms of building permission and the parameters of Srinagar Master Plan while constructing two residential houses at Hyderpora in Srinagar.
The complainants had also alleged that Rather in connivance and active support of the officials of the SMC converted both the buildings into a commercial complex, violating the norms of Building Permission Act despite the fact that permission was granted exclusively for construction of residential houses.

The report has also confirmed that Rather has deviated from the building permission granted by BOCA and raised both the buildings in violation of Building Permission Act besides converting both the buildings into a commercial complex.