Successive VCs fail to get erring officials identified for action
*H&UDD frames committee for reconstruction of record
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Sept 15: Shocking it may sound but it is a fact that large number of files are missing from the allotment section of the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) during the past several years but till date no responsibility has been fixed although successive Vice-Chairmans were made aware of this grave issue.
Now, on the recommendations of the present Vice-Chairman the Housing and Urban Development Department has constituted a committee for reconstruction of record and matter has also been reportedly brought to the notice of the Crime Branch Jammu for thorough investigation and identification of erring officials.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that large number of files continues to remain missing from the allotment section of the Jammu Development Authority during the past three-four years but the successive Vice-Chairmans never bothered to get the matter investigated although representations in this regard were received from several allottees of the plots in different JDA colonies.
“The previous Vice-Chairman took some initiative and constituted a committee of officers of JDA but the committee didn’t submit report within the stipulated time. However, when the present Vice-Chairman intervened the committee submitted the vague report and without fixing any responsibility”, sources informed, adding “this clearly established that the members of the committee were not interested in exposing those responsible for missing of files from the allotment section”.
Now, on the recommendations of the present Vice-Chairman, the Housing and Urban Development Department has constituted a committee of officers for the reconstruction of the missing records/files of the allotment section of the Jammu Development Authority.
As per the reliable sources, the matter has also been referred to the Crime Branch Jammu for registration of FIR and investigation so that those responsible for the missing of files can be identified and taken to task.
The committee comprising of Director, Land Management JDA, Secretary JDA, Financial Advisor/CAO JDA, Secretary, J&K Housing Board, Chief Town Planner, JDA and Assistant Legal Remembrancer Housing and Urban Development Department has been told to ensure completion of the reconstruction of record within one year.
As per the terms of reference, the committee will get the missing files/records of the allotment section of JDA reconstructed in order to ensure completeness of the allotment records of the properties of JDA and to facilitate the general public. While getting the records reconstructed, the committee will take comments/reports from all the Sectional Heads of the JDA.
“The committee should ensure that the allotment is genuine, neither cancelled nor irregular or pending investigation before Anti-Corruption Bureau and Crime Branch etc”, the Housing and Urban Development Department said, adding “the committee should place in the public domain on a periodic basis, the details of the records/files reconstructed for inviting objections and after considering the objections, if any, should recommend further processing of such cases”.
The committee while getting the reconstruction of records/file will ensure that in each case a notice is published by the applicant giving the detailed particulars of property and other relevant details and an affidavit duly sworn before the Judicial Magistrate 1st Class stating that in case it is found that the plot/property which is transferred has already been cancelled or in case of irregular allotment or a bank loan is pending or any other legal dispute is there, the lease/transfer deed shall stand cancelled ab-initio and action as warranted under law shall be taken against the transferee/lessee.
As per the terms of reference, such transferee/lessee shall hand over the possession of property to JDA peacefully and also have to indemnify by JDA for any loss/damage that may occur. As a penalty, the payments, if any, made by the transferee/lessee to JDA shall also stand forfeited with no compensation.
The committee has been directed to hold its sitting at least once a month to monitor the progress of reconstruction and to decide such cases. Moreover, monthly progress report will have to be submitted to the Administrative Department.
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