Rajesh Gupta
Jammu, Feb 03: MLA Ramban Arjun Singh Raju came to rescue of Patnitop Development Authority Area , raised Master Plan issue in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
In a written MLA Arjun Singh Raju asked "Will the Government please state Whether it is a fact the due to non-implementation of the revised Master Plan, the developmental activities in the Tourist destination of Sanasar and Batote stand stalled causing significant inconvenience to the general Public there, if so , the timeline fixed foor the implementation of the said Master Plan?
As per details with Cross Town News, Incharge Minister , Department of Tourism , in a written reply said that " No , developmental activities in Sanasar , Batore and other areas falling under Jurisdiction of the Patnitop Developmental Authority continue to progress in regulated manner.
Necessary permissions are being granted in accordance with established Planning guidelines and environmental safeguards."
It is to however mention here that there shall be new & attractive development in such tourist spots, only after implementation of New Master Plan, as Area in and around Kud , much below the belt Patnitop, has been made commercial in draft Master Plan, thus not affecting environmental balance in Patnitop.
Once the new Master is implemented , the Commercial activities will set up in the area , which will lead to devlopment of Tourist related infrastrucrure , which is otherwise stalled due to maximum area being Residential/Plantation etc.
Once upon a time in the year 2000 Master Plan of Patnitop Development Authority was notified & thereafter vide SRO of 2011 lot of areas were added in the jurisdiction of PDA but none of the Commissioner, Tourism, CEO, PDA bothered to get the revised Master Plan of PDA in compliance to J&K Development Act of 1970 & on Today 26th year after the notification of Master Plan of PDA of 2000 is going on but Building Bye Laws of MP of year 2000 being allowed , which is leading to chaotic structures coming with old Building Bye Laws of 2000 rather than implementing new Master Plan , so that Structures Commercial as well as residential come up keeping guidelines on account of today's time ( Year 2026).
Government can also seek the details of BP/Development of plots cases pending in the office of CEO, PDA since last 05 years & reasons for rejection if any, which shall prove whether Building Bye Laws of Master Plan of 2000, which was notified 26 years back or some new procedure being or have adopted for clearing BP Cases.
It is the need of the day to act that whether using Building Bye Laws of MP of 2000 is justified as on day despite lapse of 26 years on the fault of PDA Authorities headed by Secretary Tourism, otherwise which is in open violation of J&K Development Act of 1970 .
From the reply of the Tourism Department it seems department silent on Violation of J&K Development Act of 1970 , which says revision of Master Plan every 5 years and Department did not give any time line for new Master Plan, whereas Rs 10 lakhs approx have been spent on the making of draft Master Plan.
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