MLA RINKU OPPOSES DEMOLITION DRIVE BY MC

JALANDHAR: The municipal corporation (MC) team led by joint commissioner Aashika Jain that went to Basti Danishmanda area on Friday to take action against illegal constructions met with resistance from Jalandhar West segment MLA Rinku and locals.

The MLA and residents opposed the move and exhanged heated arguments with the MC officials.mla Rinku had also obstructed the demolition of illegal colonies and plots near Deol Nagar and Kala Sangha Road as ordered by local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu in June.

“Agar aaj gents officer hota toh shayad naubat kisi aur tarike ki aajati, ladies thi isiliye kucch keh nahi saka (If it was a male official, I would have taught him a good lesson.it was a female officer, that’s why i couldn’t say anything),” said Rinku.he said, “I can’t say it’s her fault but the problem is with the whole system as the Congress is leading the MC. I have told the mayor and commissioner to carry out zoning as per building by laws provisions.”

Witnesses said he talked rudely with the MC officials, attempting to overpower the IAS officer Jain, who was firm on her stand to demolish the unauthorised colonies. “My constituency has few roads that are 60 feet wide, due to which any roadside shop or commercial construction is counted as unauthorised,” he rued. “The building regulations give provision that after carrying out the zoning of a particular area, we can get the construction authorised by paying a requisite fee to the MC. We can’t steal the livelihood of people by not giving them this option,” he said.

Joint commissioner Aashika Jain said, “We went to demolish unauthorised construction and the MLA came and said that their people will produce credentials for carrying out construction in the area. We have given time but we will act according to the law.”

“In Ludhiana, there has been segment-wise zoning but such concept is not feasible for Jalandhar due to a shortage of officers. The area is divided department wise and the MLA is demanding to make the territorial division,” said Aashika Jain.