Sr dy Mayor seeks suspension of STP

Nikhil Bhardwaj

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 16

Opening a front against MC officials and pointing out their alleged involvement in the construction of illegal buildings in the city, Senior Deputy Mayor Kamaljit Singh Bhatia today sought the suspension of the senior town planner (STP) and action against other building branch officials.

Bhatia today took along the STP Shakti Sagar Bhatia to show him the three illegal under-construction buildings and questioned him why no action was taken against the violators. The building shown by Bhatia reportedly belonged to a private hospital. In one of the buildings near Manbro Chowk, construction was reportedly also on.

Two buildings are located near Mission Chowk, while one is located near Manbro Chowk. While showing illegal buildings to the STP, Bhatia asked the STP to show documents pertaining to the building or action taken by the department against these buildings in the past if any.

Talking to reporters, Bhatia said the STP and other officials of the building branch should be suspended for not paying heed to the illegal buildings in the city. “I will write a letter to the MC Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Khera to seek the suspension of the STP Bhatia. I will also ask the Commissioner to get an FIR registered against the officials who allow illegal buildings to crop up, and this practice will bring a drastic change in the working of the MC,” Bhatia added.

STP Shakti Sagar Bhatia denied the allegations of his involvement in allowing these illegal constructions. He said a notice was issued to the building located near Manbro Chowk in October and he would take the required action if the MC Commissioner issued any directions in this regard. Meanwhile, the STP was called by MC Commissioner, who asked the latter to provide the latest details about the illegal building and take timely action.

Sources said the building near Manbro Chowk was sealed by the MC, following which the owner had given an undertaking that would demolish his building on his own, but even after several months, the owner didn't stand up with his undertaking and started construction again.

The Congress councillors had recently submitted a list of 10 under-construction buildings to the MC and had sought action against the MC officials instead of the building owners.