Shopping Complex comes up on Graveyard in Tral
R&B gives misleading information under RTI
SRINAGAR: Inspite of several notices from Government , Revenue department, Municipal Committee (MC) Tral and R&B (PWD) division Pulwama have failed to retrieve 3 kanals of encroached graveyard land in Tral area on which a huge shopping complex has been erected by some locals. The Executive Engineer R&B Pulwama earlier had told State Information Commission that he will act over this issue and provide all the details in writing. State Information Commission (SIC), taking this matter seriously has issued penalty show cause notice against the XEn R&B Pulwama as well.
Details available with Early Times reveal that an information seeker namely Mohammad Amin Shah has been seeking justice as his family’s ancestral graveyard has been encroached by some influential people of Tral. Shah sought information from the Executive Engineer (XEn R&B division Pulwama) who is also the PIO Vide letter dated 04.04.2016. After waiting for two months, no reply was received by him and accordingly vide letter dated 06.06.2016, the PIO was reminded to provide the information. Thereafter PIO vide letter dated 22.06.2016 provided him unsatisfactory, vague, absurd and deceptive information.
The appellant finally requested the State Information Commission (SIC) to seek information from the PIO/Executive Engineer on four issue related to the construction reportedly made on graveyard land.
The PIO during hearing submitted that the appellant has basically a grievance with respect to demolition of an illegal construction which can be considered again and his request for demolition processed separately outside the framework of the RTI Act and the rules. He insisted that the queries of the appellant have been responded and information provided. However, as per the records, the PIO has not responded/disposed of the RTI application under consideration within stipulated period as provided under the Act, he is therefore directed to explain as to why action under Section-17 shall not be taken against him. His explanation in this regard should reach the Commission within two weeks from the receipt of this order. The 2nd appeal filed before the Commission is accordingly disposed of.
Inspite of the orders from the SIC , the illegal encroachment is yet to be removed . Sources say that Municipal Committee Tral , R&B Pulwama as well as Revenue Department officials are hand in glove with the encroachers who have erected a shopping complex on the said graveyard. Mohammad Amin Shah has appeal Revenue Minister to intervene.
