Prime land in Gurdaspur ‘encroached’, authorities mum

Ravi Dhaliwal

Advertisement

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, July 17

Prime land worth crores of rupees on the Hardochanni road has been usurped by unscrupulous elements following an unholy nexus between municipal committee (MC) officials and ‘land sharks’ who are allegedly being protected by a top Congress politician. The scandal came to light after a former Gurdaspur market committee chairman, Yogesh Bhandari, filed a series of RTIs which revealed the connivance of some officials.

Interestingly, the land grabbers had the audacity to demolish an Octroi post located on the busy road, ostensibly to enable buyers to have a clear view of shops, proposed to be constructed on the land, from the road itself. The miscreants then constructed and sold several commercial and residential buildings on the land, making massive profits. The building plans, however, have not been approved by the MC.

On February 2, 2017, Bhandari, who is also the president of the Sukhda Enclave Residents’ Welfare Association, based in the area where the structures were sold, filed an RTI with the MC, seeking details of the “approved building plans” of 42 under-construction shops. The MC replied that it “does not provide information to third parties.” Later, Bhandari approached the State Information Commission (SIC) which overruled the decision of the MC and asked it to provide the respondent with details in 15 days. The commission also asked the Additional Chief Secretary, Local Bodies, to “look into the alleged scandal involving illegal constructions.” The MC’s reply revealed that no approval had been given.

Astonishingly, the miscreants went ahead and got the plots registered in the names of persons who purchased properties on the land.

Also, while the revenue records say the width of the Hardochanni road, running in front of the colony, is 99 feet, the Tehsildar, in a reply to a RTI query filed by Bhandari, said the width was 66 feet. “This proves that a part of the road land has been encroached upon by the land grabbers. The administration has been showing reluctance to act against the encroachers,” said Bhandari.

Sources revealed that the administration was wary of taking action as “the land sharks were being led by an influential person who is said to be close to a leading Congress politician from the city.”

An MC official said he was seized of the matter and “appropriate action will be taken against the defaulters.”

The issue

• Miscreants have allegedly grabbed a portion of land on the Hardochanni road, constructed properties and sold these at higher rates, making massive profits. They have also got the properties registered in the name of buyers.
• The construction plan has not been approved by the Municipal Committee (MC). An MC official said he was seized of the matter and “appropriate action will be taken against the defaulters.”