Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 19: The State High Court today stayed building permissions issued by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) illegally.
“The CEO, GDA shall appear in person before the Court on next date of hearing and shall explain as to how and in which circumstances, he has issued these permissions without following the statute”, directed the Division Bench of Justice MH Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey.
The Court expressed its displeasure and disapproval over the act of CEO, GDA and observed that he (CEO) is not alive to the importance of the job he has been assigned and sought his personal appearance before the court and fixed the further hearing of the matter next week in view of such issue.
The permission for repairs and renovations of structures in and around the Ski resort Gulmarg were placed on record with the status report of CEO. Court said these permissions have prima facie been granted in violation of the law.
Court directed all those in whose favour these permissions have been granted, not to act on them and shall not make any kind of repairs, renovation or construction on the strength of these permissions.
Court also enquired from Advocate General about the retrieving of encroached land. The AG informed the court that 60 percent of the encroached land has been retrieved by the GDA. Court said this has been done way back, and asked what about latest encroachers when this (encroachment) issue was also raised recently in the house of law.
Court previously had directed the CEO GDA, to take action in accordance with law and in terms of court orders against the encroachers and remove all the illegal encroachments in and around the Gulmarg and take the possession of the retrieved property by next date.
It may be mentioned that Court has already made it clear that if any person violates the court direction and continues with the constructional activities, then aforesaid authorities (GDA) shall forthwith seal such structure.
Court has directed Sub Divisional Magistrate and Sub Divisional Police Officer Gulmarg to extend all assistance to the CEO GDA for enforcing the law and court orders issued from time to time for removing the encroachments and preventing the tourist resort for further encroachments.
Court was hearing a PIL with regard to saving of Gulmarg tourist resort from all encroachments which have taken place for the last more than two decades in and around the Gulmarg tourist resort.
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