Officer who flagged illegal constructions transferred

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 28: The Government has removed Masarat Hashim as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) after he flagged the issue of illegal construction in Pahalgam tourist resort two weeks ago.

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Hashim was transferred yesterday and posted as Deputy Labour Commissioner (Central), J&K. The officer was posted as CEO Pahalgam only last month.
The officer was removed soon after he issued notices to around 300 people who resorted to illegal constructions of hotels, lodges and houses without permission for the last few years, majority of them in blatant violation of environmental norms.
A show cause notice issued on 16-01-2025 to one of the violators read: “Whereas it was observed that you have raised illegal construction at Estate Pahalgam/Sallar by way of raising of a new construction/1 floor over existing ground floor/ plinth for a structure having plinth area of 1596 sqft (42×48 sqft) with 32 feet height, without obtaining proper permission from the Competent Authority, which is in contravention to the provisions of the J&K Development Act 1970, J&K Control of building operations Act 1988 and the Master Plan Pahalgam-2032; …”
“Now, therefore, you are hereby given an opportunity to show cause within a period of 48 hours, why the illegal construction raised by you shall not be sealed or demolished as may be deemed necessary to remove the contravention, failing which it shall be presumed that you have nothing to say in your defence and action as warranted under law shall be initiated against you at your risk and cost,” the notice read.
This is not the first time that the officer who acted against illegal constructions was removed. Earlier in 2023, former CEO of PDA, Syed Sajad Qadri was transferred to Ladakh after he flagged the alleged violations by an under-construction hotel in Pahalgam.
The High Court has already directed the administration to stop all illegal constructions in Anantnag district while hearing a Public Interest Litigation seeking preservation of Pahalgam and its adjoining areas a few years ago.
An official said that the hotelier lobby and some influential politicians were behind the transfer of the officer.