Rules ignored in nod to illegal colony near Nayagaon forest

PATIALA: The role of local bodies’ department officials has come under the scanner for approving a colony at Nayagaon in Mohali district ignoring the Union government notification of 2010.

In a series of letters written to the local bodies department, Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) and Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), the state forest department objected to the colony in the delisted area near the forest land.

A private builder applied for regularisation of the colony spread over 10 acres under a state government scheme to approve illegal colonies. The builder showed that he sold some plots in 2007 and wanted to regularise the colony. The colony was approved on January 28 this year.

The Mohali divisional forest officer (DFO) had written to deputy director, local bodies, Patiala, director, local bodies, Chandigarh, and other higher authorities saying that the colony was being approved in violation of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests notification.

Mohali DFO Rajesh Sood said the Centre issued a notification in 2010 not to carry out any commercial activity on the land adjoining the forest area. The Punjab government also gave an undertaking to abide by the notification.

“Though the land is not under our purview, it is in the vicinity of the forest area. So, we asked the local bodies department, PUDA and GMADA to take action. It is clearly mentioned in the notification that state government will ensure that no commercial activity is carried on the land which is in close proximity to the forest area,” he said.

“It has come to our notice that the colony has been carved out of a land at Karoran village under the Nayagaon municipal council. The area was de-notified with a condition that no commercial activity will be done on such land,” reads the letter, asking the authorities concerned to take action against the illegal activity.

The forest department also asked GMADA to stop sale of residential plots in the area.

Deputy director, local bodies , Jashandeep Kaur Gill said: “There were some objections by the forest department. The approval was given after written orders of the director. The director verified the facts, took legal opinion and gave the nod to regularise the colony.” She said if there is any violation, the approval will be withdrawn. “The decision was taken by the director. I am only the issuing authority,” she said.

Director, department of local government, Bhupinder Singh admitted that he had cleared the file pertaining to the colony. “Legal opinion was taken before approving the colony. However, I am not aware if the Union government’s notification was discussed. I have recalled the file and will reply after re-examining it,” he said, adding if there is any violation of the Union government notification, the approval will be cancelled.

Additional chief secretary, local government, Sanjay Kumar said the matter has come to his notice. “The matter is serious and I have sought a report. Decision will be taken on merit,” he added.

2010 NOTIFICATION BANS COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY IN AREAS ADJOINING FOREST; ROLE OF LOCAL BODIES DEPT OFFICIALS UNDER THE SCANNER