Illegal constructions come up for discussion

Shimla, August 20

Looking for ways and means to regularise thousands illegal constructions in the state, the government today held a meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to look for solutions.

“The issue is being examined legally and efforts will be made to find solution within the legal framework so that relief can be give to house owners,” said Chief Minister. He said the thrust of his government was to ensure planned and regulated growth of the state capital.

There are about 20,000 illegal constructions in the state but with the courts, including Supreme Court, National Green Tribunal (NGT) and High Court, adopting a very stern stand on their regularisation, the state government is finding it difficult to regularize them.

There is a possibility that the government could bring in a Bill to regularize these structures. However, a similar Bill passed by the Assembly during the previous Congress regime was struck down by the Himachal High Court.

Various issues related to retention policy were discussed in the meeting and it was stressed that systematic development of the town should be ensured. — TNS