Master Plan Violations Anti- sealing law comes into force Governor accords approval after initial reservations UMER MAQBOOL Jammu Mar 6: The controversial legislation, seeking one- year moratorium on illegal constructions in Srinagar, Jammu and Katra, Thursday received nod from the Governor NN Vohra, who had earlier expressed reservations over the government move. Sources confirmed to Greater Kashmir that Raj Bhavan Thursday cleared the legislation, giving much respite to State Government that had kept fingers crossed over the fate of the Act, after Vohra sought explanation from officials of the Law Department over some of its provisions. The Governor had sought information pertaining to implementation of various provisions of the Bill from State’s Law Secretary Muhammad Ashraf Mir and Advocate General M I Qadri. An official, wishing anonymity, said the law has come into effect with the assent of the Governor. “ Now all the notices issued for initiating action against unauthorized constructions or Master Plan violations in respect of areas to which this Act applies stand suspended till 31 March 2015,” sources disclosed. The Governor’s nod to the Bill comes a day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met him at Raj Bhavan here. The Bill, according to sources, came up for discussion between Vohra and Omar during the meeting. The law, providing moratorium on illegal constructions till March, 2015 was passed in both Houses of the legislature in the recently concluded budget session. It empowers the government to formulate a policy till March 2015 for dealing with and regulating such unauthorized buildings in Srinagar, Jammu and Katra. According to sources, the Government would now constitute a high power committee of experts to go into the issue of illegal constructions. The panel would not only suggest remedial measures but would also come up with mechanism for regulating building activity in both the capital cities and Katra. The idea to come up with legal framework against sealing of illegal constructions was mooted following the sealing of many buildings by Srinagar Municipal Corporation last year on the directions of the High Court. Fearing that a demolition drive at this juncture would cost it politically during the upcoming Parliament and Assembly elections, National Conference was desperately trying to push the ordinance through. The NC move, however, was being blocked by Congress.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 03:14:46 +0000
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