NEW DELHI: Growing complaints pertaining to illegal constructions have now got the Lokayukta to suggest measures to the LG to crackdown on the builder mafia.

Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin has invoked powers under Section 16 of the Delhi Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Act and recommended to LG Najeeb Jung that the SHOs and the executive engineers of the municipal bodies in charge be made responsible for checking illegal constructions in areas under their jurisdiction. Justice Sarin also wants their performance on this account to be considered for their annual confidential report.

The Lokayukta has stated that the beat constable or policemen on patrol must register a complaint and make a diary entry soon after they notice unauthorized construction, and the executive engineer be intimated within a day of the entry. “The SHO to send on a fortnightly basis, a consolidated list of unauthorized constructions to the executive engineer (building) of the corporation for necessary follow-up action and a copy to the municipal councillor,” the Lokayukta notes.

“After a notice is issued and a sealing order passed, intimation be sent to the discom and Delhi Jal Board for suspension of electricity and water supply, unless a stay is granted against the sealing order by a competent court or tribunal,” the Lokayukta says. The move has come after the Lokayukta received an anonymous complaint that a councillor was misusing municipal funds for unauthorized construction in a house in Nai Sarak, Chandni Chowk. Inquiry revealed major reconstruction of an old house that was being converted into a commercial building with 11 shops.

The Lokayukta directed the civic body to take action. The properties have now been sealed on the ground floor and demolition action has been initiated in respect of the properties on the first and second floors. It was revealed in this case that police had informed the civic body about the illegal constructions.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Builder-mafia-issue-Lokayukta-has-advice-for-LG/articleshow/22171519.cms