Srinagar, Aug 29: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has sought a fresh and comprehensive affidavit from Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) indicating the action taken against establishments violating building regulations, parking norms and fire safety requirements.
Hearing a plea on enforcement of statutory norms, a bench of Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, observed that the affidavit the authorities had filed in compliance with earlier directions was deficient, failing to adequately address the specific issues. In its order, the court had earlier directed the JMC Commissioner to undertake a comprehensive survey of hotels, commercial establishments, coaching institutes and other buildings catering to the public, identify violations and take action against defaulting establishments. The exercise was to cover unauthorised constructions, absence of mandatory parking facilities, lack of valid fire safety clearances, and other statutory permissions.
The court ordered that the fresh affidavit must also indicate the total number of such establishments, their compliance with building permissions and occupancy certificates, the nature of violations detected, inspection mechanisms and action taken, including notices, sealing, demolition, prosecution or cancellation of permissions, wherever warranted.
The court warned of coercive action in case of non-compliance, saying appropriate proceedings could be initiated against the Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Director of Fire and Emergency Services, Vice Chairman of Jammu Development Authority and Inspector General of Police (Traffic) if the directions were not complied with.
The court directed the concerned authorities to coordinate for effective enforcement and submit a clear timeline for completing the survey, identification of defaulters, issuance of notices and consequential action.
It listed the matter on September 3, the next date of hearing.
