CCI team, Ex-DyCM stage Dharna
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Hours after a hardware shop was demolished on Saturday by Jammu Municipal Corporation, as part of its anti-encroachment drive, triggering uproar, the business premises was ‘de-sealed’ with embarrassed officials claiming the action had been taken ‘mistakenly’.
The anti-encroachment drive by the JMC at Shivaji Chowk Nanak Nagar sparked protests by the businessmen community at different markets across Jammu with the Chamber of Commerce & Industries team and former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta staging Dharna in protest against the demolition of the front shutter of Prem & Co Hardware, without any notice.
After over five-hour long protest and discussions with stakeholders, the JMC officers finally ordered the Prem Hardware, which had been sealed, to install the shutter and resume the work.
“We have ordered to de-seal the shop. And the shopkeeper can run the business”, JMC officials told CCI team led by its President Arun Gupta on the spot, resulting in lifting of the dharna amid Jammu Chamber Zindabad slogans.
JMC humiliated again
On Saturday, Jammu Municipal Corporation had again to eat a humble pie when it went to demolish a house at Bhalla Coloney constructed about one and half year ago uninterruptedly.
The owner of house Surinder Gupta and his associates showered a bunch of selective abuses and blamed JMC for their excessiveness which compelled the JMC staff to abscond from the site. The residents of the area condemned the act of JMC which first support the construction and then demolish it to exhibit ist non-existing honesty besides taking money at both the steps.
When asked by STATE TIMES correspondent why the illegally constructed buildings with hundred per cent violations are not being demolished despite the High Court orders, the Joint Commissioner JMC gave the oft-repeated reply, “I don’t know and I have no knowledge.”
In the interest of justice and to prove his honesty and efficiency he must look into such cases at an earliest.
In one such case his department has failed to submit the file of a hundred per cent violation case to the Tribunal despite getting more than ten opportunities, perhaps waiting for the transfer of honest Municipal Commissioner who never supports the violators of law.
Actually, the JMC team was supposed to dismantle the godown of Prem Hardware, which is around 300 feet away from the showroom. In an early morning drive, the machinery was put in action and the double story shutter of the showroom was dismantled.
“This is a 40-year-old store, which was targeted by the JMC without any prior notice or intimation. If they had any problem with the structure, they should have followed law and served the business house a notice before taking any action”, President Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) Arun Gupta said. Gupta, who joined the protesters, said the business community is already suffering badly due to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years and such actions have a crippling impact on a number of families.
“We will not tolerate such type of hooliganism”, he said and warned of agitation if such type of unjust action is not stopped forthwith.
The shopkeepers in Shastri Nagar, Gandhi Nagar and Moti Bazar in the Temple City also staged protests against the JMC for its anti-encroachment drive.
While the JMC removed encroached upon footpaths in Shastri Nagar, the teams laid yellow lines in front of shops in Gandhi Nagar and Moti Bazar, asking the shopkeepers not to display their goods beyond the marker.
The Moti Bazar business association in the congested old city threatened to intensify the protest if they are not allowed to keep their articles one-and-a-half feet in front of their shutters.
Meanwhile, in an order issued today under subject “Notice under Section 8(1) of J&K Control of Building Operation Act, 1988.”, it has been stated that whereas order under provisions of Section 7(3) of J&K Control of Building Operation Act 1988 was served on Prem Sagar, son of Gosian Dass Vide No MJ/Es/1/166/3/CEO/09 Dated 28/05/2009. Whereas the aforementioned Order was stayed by the J&K Special Tribunal vide Order No: STJ/III/585/2009 dated:- 02.06.2009. Whereas the objections were filed by Jammu Municipal Corporation and the Stay order was dismissed by the Tribunal Vide No STJ/146/13 dated 08/04/2013. Whereas vide High Court Order dated 12.07.2013 in PWP No: 986/2013 CMA No: 1358/2013 directions to maintain status quo were issued. Whereas, the case (OWP No: 986/2013) was dismissed by the High Court on 04.03.2021. Whereas action under the relevant section of J&K Control of Building Operation Act 1988, on the basis of a report of the concerned Enforcement Inspector was initiated on 20.11.2021, however only the front shutter was dismantled due to crossing over of Electricity wires and the premises have been sealed by JMC. Whereas, the owner of the premises has made a representation that the building has been sealed illegally and therefore be de-sealed immediately, the issue has been also raised by the Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Whereas the issue has been discussed with the Authorities and it has been decided that a detailed Inquiry into the matter should be conducted, pending which the premises be de-sealed.
“This issues with the approval of Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation”, stated the notice.