Srinagar (J&K): No construction work is supposed to be done in the Green belt area around Srinagar’s Dal lake. The Jammu and Kashmir government clearly prohibits it. But then if it is the Chief Minister’s residence inside a temple complex, the authorities choose to look the other way.
The only structure that exists here is a 2,000-year old Hindu temple. And adjacent to this ancient Hindu temple complex, a 16-room mansion is being built which, according to sources, belongs to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Also, a three-storeyed structure is coming up within the periphery of the ancient Zetiar temple complex.
"The house belongs to the CM. We are constructing 16 more rooms and two halls," said an official of one ‘Zeastadevi Prabandhak Committee’ that is taking care of the construction work.
"This building will take just two more months to complete," said Shahji Bhat, another official.
Open land facing the lake belongs to the J&K government and must be maintained as a green belt, rules the Joseph Allen Stein, 1973 recommendation. No construction work is allowed within a range of 1,000 feet around the lake. However the caretakers of the lake are turning a blind eye to the ‘illegal’ structure.
"It definitely violates the norms. We will check and take action," said Mir Naseem, vice- chairman, Lakes and Waterways Development Authority.
Enforcing law on CM’s property seems easier said than done, even as the law gets flouted with impunity.
Source: CNN-IBN
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