Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 11: Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, today discussed the proposed policy for dealing with the unauthorized constructions in violation of Master Plan in Jammu, Srinagar and Katra cities, at a meeting of officers held here.
Secretary Housing & Urban Development, Satesh Nehru, Vice Chairman, JDA, Mubarak Singh, Commissioner JMC, Kiran Wattal, Managing Director J&K Housing Board, Shafiq Ahmed Raina, Chief Architect, V. K. Pant, Chief Town Planners, Kashmir/ Jammu and officers of allied wings of the Housing Department attended the meeting.
The proposed policy document which has been framed by the department on the directions of the J&K High Court was discussed in detail and several new ideas were deliberated upon and incorporated in the document. The main thrust was to ensure that the existing Master Plans are implemented in letter and spirit to stop unauthorized constructions in these cities in future. The ways and means to deal with the violations already occurred at various places also came under discussion.
The Minister directed the concerned for adopting a cautious approach, keeping in view the sensitivity involved as well as the Court directions. He said the document should serve as a future guideline to deal with the violations and deterrent for the defaulters. The interests of all the stakeholders should be equally guarded so that the innocents may not suffer.
He endorsed suitable punishment for the violators; particularly those related to commercial ones, stressing that this is must to curb the practice in future. He directed the concerned to make the Khilafwarzi/enforcement wings in these cities proactive to keep a regular vigil on the activities in future.
He stressed the need for proper implementation of existing Master Plans in both the capital cities to maintain their pristine glory, adding that Jammu and Kashmir is a tourist State and focus must be on the balanced and holistic development of these cities said the Minister.
Mr. Nehru gave back ground of the policy.
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