SRINAGAR: Drive to seal illegal commercial complexes within the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) limits will continue following the Jammu and Kashmir High Court order.
The issue was also raised in the Legislative Assembly by opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) member, who alleged that the SMC action was selective.
The SMC has warned business people to take any shop or room on rent only after confirming that the building has been issued proper permission for construction commercial complex.
The SMC drive started last week when more than a dozen commercial complexes were sealed by the civic body, affecting a large number of businessmen in Jawahar Nagar and Sanantnag Nagar area.
The SMC said permission was granted for construction of residential houses to owners, who later converted them into commercial complex. The Corporation said construction of commercial complexes in residential area was against the violation of master plan norms.
Now the drive has been launched in Karan Nagar area, where a large number of residential houses were also converted into commercial establishments.
The SMC has issued a showcause notice today to Abdul Majid Wani for sealing their commercial complex at Karan Nagar when they were given the permission to construct three storey residential house.
The Corporation said five buildings would be sealed in Karan Nagar area of the city for converting residential houses into commercial complexes.
However, senior PDP leader and MLA Javid Mustafa Mir alleged that SMC action was selective on political considerations.
He said why no action was initiated against SMC officials who allowed these illegal constructions of commercial complexes.
He also alleged that in some areas, where ruling party leaders and others too have violated Master Plan, no action was taken.
Recently a group of Kashmiri migrant pandits alleged that their houses were dismentaled without their knowledge and later commercial complex were constructed in old city area of Habba Kadal, Chinkral Mohalla and Gaw Kadal.
They alleged this all was done with the help of local ruling National Conference (NC) MLA and leaders.
Breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani has also supported the Kashmiri pandits demand to restore their property to them and take action against those who are involved in the fraud.
