Due to the patronage of some high-ranking officials of the Local Government Department, Sector 35,

Due to the patronage of some high-ranking officials of the Local Government Department, Sector 35, 

Chandigarh, no action is being taken against builders violating the rules.

Chandigarh 20 July ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : A renowned social activist Sukhdev Chaudhary, dedicated to national service, has accused the high-ranking officials of the Local Government Office of the Punjab Government of being involved in illegal activities and corruption rampant within the department. He also alleged that a senior official holding an important position in the department is going against the principles and benefiting a close associate of his. This corruption in the department is not worth crores but billions of rupees. Talking to reporters at the Chandigarh Press Club, social activist Sukhdev Chaudhary said that illegal construction is continuously increasing in the Zirakpur area. He alleged that due to the patronage of some officials of the Local Government Department, Sector 35, Chandigarh, effective action is not being taken against builders violating the rules.

Gautam Kumar, Senior Town Planner, Local Government Department, Punjab, gives an example of how builders are benefiting from the GNG High Street in Dhakoli (Zirakpur). Available records show that around 80 shops could have been allowed, but instead 164 showrooms were built. This land has been mired in controversy earlier. Crores of rupees were collected by GBP company on this land. After this, the project was transferred to G&G Builders. I have also requested a vigilance inquiry into the matter to find out if there is any nexus or common interest between GBP and GNG. An impartial inquiry is necessary. The Zirakpur Municipal Council itself admitted the irregularities in the project and issued a notice under Section 195. Following this, a notice under Section 220 was issued to remove the illegal constructions, seeking action within six hours. The Municipal Council also removed the illegally constructed lifts. When the builder did not comply with the orders, the then Executive Officer (EO) filed a case in the Derabassi court in this regard.

Despite this, no final and effective action has been taken against this project till date. After my complaints, an inquiry was also conducted by the Chief Vigilance Officer (LG), and to my knowledge, the report contained serious remarks against the builder and the concerned officials. Now, it is being alleged that some officials of the Local Government Department, Sector 35, Chandigarh are pressuring to obtain a Completion Certificate (CC) for this project. If a Completion Certificate is issued for this alleged illegal construction, it will not only violate the law but will also adversely affect the interests of the common people. The project lacks adequate parking facilities. If it gets a Completion Certificate, the already serious traffic congestion problem will worsen. It has been alleged that the road, which is actually about 60 feet wide, was shown as 40 feet while approving the map. Moreover, the project was presented as a stand-alone project, while the actual situation is being said to be different. The builder obtained approvals based on two different maps, and the stairs and other structures were built contrary to the approved plan.

Now a serious matter: the son is a lakeway consultant, the father is a senior officer in the STP department in the same department.

We demand that the Local Government Department conduct an independent and impartial investigation into this entire matter, take legal action against the guilty officials and the builder, and not issue any completion certificate to this project till the investigation is completed. If the completion certificate is issued to this project despite all the objections, investigation reports and pending disputes, we will be forced to approach the court to oppose the alleged corruption and violation of rules.