4 FIRs lodged; Admn assures further action
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Mar 24: Despite clear-cut directions from the administration against selling bricks beyond the set Government rates, the brick kiln owners in district Budgam continue to sell bricks at exorbitant rates due to which people are suffering.
The brick kiln owners in the district are selling bricks at Rs 30,000 per truck while the Government rate is Rs 21500 per truck.
The people who are being supplied bricks at the rates set by the brick kiln owners had filed complaints with the concerned official, which, then, issued a notice directing the brick kiln owners to comply with the Government directives.
However, on the ground, the situation appears to be different as people are witnessing no change in the rates.
A person, who identified himself as Tariq Ahmad, told Excelsior that he had to get bricks from Budgam and the rate that he was offered was Rs 30,000.
“I am from Srinagar and contacted a brick kiln owner in Budgam; he said that it will cost me Rs 30, 000 even as the Government-set rate is different; they are charging differently,” he said.
Earlier, the Tehsildar Budgam had warned of strict action against the violators of the Government directives and had directed the brick kiln owners not to overcharge the public by resorting to excesses.
“Different complaints were received by the locals regarding the sale of bricks excess to Government rate fixed at 21,500. Some raids were carried out in different places to Tehsil Budgam and during the raids, several FIRs were lodged against the brick kiln owners”, the Tehsildar said.
“All the brick kiln owners are directed not to sale the bricks excess to Government fixed rate and the brick kiln owners will publish rate list at their brick kiln locations and not harass the general public by taking excess charges as well as not to sell substandard material. Any laxity by any person shall be viewed seriously…” read the notice.
The concerned Tehsildar Budgam, Nusrat Aziz told Excelsior that they are proactive and are taking action against those who are flouting the norms.
She said that so far around 4 FIRs have been lodged against the violators and that the regular checks are being carried out on daily basis.
“The basic rate at the kiln is 21500 and the fare is then added to according to the rate list issued by the RTO, Budgam; still, if anyone is facing the problem of being overcharged, they can contact us, we will make sure that action is taken,” she said.
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