Zirakpur MC chief under scanner for issuing completion certificates without authority

MOHALI: The Mohali district administration will be probing alleged misuse of power by the Zirakpur executive officer in issuing completion certificates to eight major residential-cumcommercial projects in February this year. The certificates were issued to these projects spread over more than five acres, even as the official, Manvir Singh Gill, did not have the authority under the relevant rules.

According to the Punjab government’s 2010 notification, for issuing completion certificates of sixth category building plans , the file has to be sent to the director, local bodies, who further forwards it to the secretary, local bodies, after a thorough scrutiny by the chief town planning wing of the department. Finally, it is the minister concerned who approves it.

According to sources privy to the development, the Zirakpur MC allegedly did not even carry out physical verification of the projects for issuing fire-safety no-objection certificate or giving permissions for sewerage and water connections . In fact, even the Punjab and Haryana HC has directed the state local bodies department to carry out physical checking of all real estate projects before issuing the completion certificate. When contacted, Gill said: “I can’t say anything off the top of my head and will have to cross-check the cases..” Sanjay Kumar, additional chief secretary, local government, Punjab, said: “I am not aware of the issue, but will definitely look into it.”

However, Mohali additional deputy commissioner Aashika Jain said: “We will conduct an inquiry into the matter.”

Harish Gupta, president,

Builders Association Zirakpur, said: “As per norms, after completing the basic infrastructure , we complete the buildings in parts and apply for partial completion certificate to the competent authority. After that, it is the prerogative of the civic body to issue the certificates, and how they issue it is up to them.”

A senior MC official, on the condition of anonymity, said: “We have seen that some builders take completion certificate from the civic body and end up cheating people. They are issued certificates in connivance with officials.”