The Times of India            06.05.2013 

Removing encroachments before deadline a challenge for JMC

With three weeks left, JMC
seems to be taking a casual approach to both rehabilitation of the
affected house owners and removing the illegal construction. According
to official sources, fear of violent protests has held back the civic
body from carrying on the drive.

While the Jaipur Development Authority
(JDA) has started the demolition drive, it remains a challenge for JMC
to remove the encroachments in the given deadline as only two consent
letters so far from owners are in the jurisdiction of the corporation.
A senior official at JMC said, “Despite advertising thrice in the
newspapers to inform the affected house owners that they can approach us
to fill the consent form, so, far, we have received only two consent
letters.”

As per the survey, the maximum number of
encroachments, around 756, are in the jurisdiction of JMC. Only
demolition of nine illegal constructions has been done by JMC. Vigilance
commissioner, Anil Gothwal said, “As the deadline is approaching, a
team has been constituted to appease the affected house owners. The
drive will be started soon to achieve the target before deadline.”

Official sources claimed that the task is becoming difficult as the
residents have become aggressive. Many encroachers too refused to accept
the notices and one of the house owners tore the notice. “The support
of local MLA has given courage to the encroachers to protest against the
state government. A meeting has also been scheduled to have a dialogue
with the public representatives. ” added a source.

Recently, a
violent protest while, issuing notices to the house owners whose
dwellings are in the catchment area became a challenge for the JMC
officials. Many times, officials were not able to complete their work
and had to return empty-handed as hundreds of residents gheraoed the
officials.

“Earlier, we started issuing notices between
Sushilpura and Hassanpura area. After issuing notices, the team had to
return as the residents intensified their protest,” a JMC official said.

An official claimed that the latest high court order on Amanishah
Nullah, which allowed its width to be maintained between 150-210 feet on
whichever side free space is available, has come as a major relief for
the JDA. However, as encroachers are densely populated in the area,
there is no option other than razing constructions from both the ends.

On the other hand, JDA’s deputy inspector general (enforcement) GL
Sharma said, ” We are on the job. On Sunday , around 12 illegal
constructions were demolished and rehabilitated .”

However,
sources claimed that even JDA will find it difficult to meet the
deadline as around 100 illegal constructions are yet to be demolished.
“JDA has to began the drive in areas where violent protests was faced.
In Devi Nagar the fierce mob hurled stones at police vans and beat up
junior engineer of JDA,” said sources.