Sheer violation of building bye-laws goes unchecked

Rawalpindi : The staff of the Building Department of Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) is allegedly involved in receiving gratifications from people to allow them to construct illegal commercial and residential buildings in certain parts of Rawalpindi which falls in the ambit of the department.

Credible sources while taking to this correspondent here Thursday said that the entire staff related to building section are openly getting huge gratifications from the people to allow them construction of residential and commercial buildings in the city without the approval of building plan and No Objection Certificate. The amount of gratifications is then divided among each other by the staff members including inspectors, building supervisors, survey members and other officials. Due to this illegal practice there is no check and balance to prohibit illegal constructions in parts of Rawalpindi city which falls in vicinities of RDA.

The sources told that because of indifference and negligence of the concerned staff who remains busy in achieving their interests in the form of receiving money and that too on monthly basis, sheer violation of building bye laws could be witnessed clearly in Adiala Road, Girja Road, Gulraiz, Morgah, Chakri, Dhamial, GT Road, Chaakra besides other parts falling under RDA.

While citing the parts of the city, the sources appealed to the higher ups of RDA particularly Commissioner Rawalpindi who is acting Chairman, DCO Head of the Building Department to pay surprise visits and they would easily find illegal construction of buildings in all parts falling under the premises of the authority. The practice of allowing illegal construction of buildings is continuing since long but has intensified over the last three to four years with the change in managements and officials.

The sources appealed to the Commissioner should conduct enquiry against the related staff of Building Section after which legal action may be taken against the corrupt employees. At present action is conducted against only those persons who refuse to please the Building staff in the form of gratifications. Not only action is conducted against them but the RDA staff creates great hurdles in their way to obtain NOC and apply for obtaining Building Plan, sources further informed. Adding further the sources told that their building plans are not approved till concerned staff is not pleased through the way of gratification.

The sources also demanded of the Supreme Court for taking suo motto notice of violations of buildings bye laws by people in RDA limits with the support of building section staff. If the court takes the notice, the truth will come before the public about the involvement of RDA’s building staff in illegal practices which has resulted in the increase in violations of building bye laws, the sources believed.

On approaching the Director of Building Department, Ali Imran expressed his unawareness of the practice adopted by his staff. This official at the same time assured that the matter has been brought into his notice. He assured to pay visits to different sites to check the illegal practices. Thereafter notices would be served upon the violators of building bye laws both commercial and residential. A high-level enquiry would be conducted against the staff for their involvement in the illegal practice particularly receiving gratifications from the people to allow them illegal constructions. Similarly, this issue would be discussed in meeting with the Rawalpindi Commissioner who is RDA’s Chairman in order to get his nod for action against the violators of building bye laws and also against the involved staff members after conducting thorough enquiry at high level. The process of action would start with the issuance of notices among the violators and would be enforced after the elapse of deadline given to them, the director pledged.