MC chief to review building branch working

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 21

Reported move by newly appointed MC Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Sabharwal to review the working of the building branch amidst increasing complaints of corruption, repeated stinkers from the top brass of the Local Government Department and adverse reports both by the vigilance wing of the department and the Vigilance Bureau of Punjab Police, seems to be a welcome step.

After taking over the reins of the biggest MC in the state, the new commissioner must have been briefed about rampant violations of building bylaws, mushrooming of illegal commercial buildings with the connivance of field staff and supervisory officials of the building branch and little or no action against violations.

Sources claim that action taken by the building branch officials against the violation of building bylaws and construction of multi-storey complexes was confined to paper work only. “Challans are issued under section 269 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act both for non-compoundable and compoundable violations but no further follow-up action is taken. Neither the composition fee is recovered for compoundable violations nor the non-compoundable extensions are demolished as laid down in the law,” said the sources.

It was learnt that about six months ago, the Municipal Town Planner (MTP), the top official in the building branch here, had issued a memo to the assistant town planners (ATPs) of all zones in the city, with regard to complaints of serious nature against the field staff and their dubious role in allowing construction of illegal commercial buildings, inaction against challans issued for non-compoundable violations and taking protection money from builders.

Sources claimed that the MTP had issued explicit directions to the officials of the building branch that in cases where challans were issued under the PMC Act, only compoundable areas be allowed to be constructed and if non-compoundable violations had been committed, such portion be demolished after giving due notice to the builder.

However, little or no notice was taken by the subordinate staff and their supervisory officials in the building branch of these directions, claim the sources, adding that nothing had changed in the working. “Illegal commercial buildings keep coming up, brazen violations (of building bylaws) are continuing, conniving staff is still ruling the roost and the unscrupulous builders still prefer to keep the regulatory officials in good humour rather than going for construction of buildings with approved building plans,” the sources claimed.

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