Renzu, who has served as Municipal Commissioner; former director, Local Bodies; and former vice-chairman, Srinagar Development Authority (SDA); has been accused by the SMC for constructing
“unauthorised commercial complex” at Jawahar Nagar locality in the city.
“I, Commissioner, SMC, hereby call upon you to stop the misuse of your aforesaid premises within seven days from the date of receipt of this notice, failing which an order under Section-8 of the Control of Building Operation Act would be passed against you for sealing your aforesaid premises,” the notice to the former bureaucrat read.
The notice said the SMC had granted permission for constructing residential rooms in the building but instead, Renzu had constructed a full-fledged commercial complex.
“You have violated the master plan norms, zoning regulations and sanctioned plan parameters by constructing a full-fledged shopping complex, having shops on the ground floor and offices on the first and second floors,” it read.
Renzu retired as the SDA vice-chairman in March after serving the state government for over three decades.
The timing of the show-cause notice to Renzu is, however, being questioned by local residents. “Why was the government silent for so long? This violation was made many years ago,” said a local resident, Showkat Ahmed.
“This is not the only violation. There are over 2,000 violations of the Srinagar master plan, so why is only the former bureaucrat under the scanner?” he questioned.
A senior official in the Srinagar Municipal Corporation said, “There are many violations in Jawahar Nagar locality and we will issue notices to the other violators also. In the case of Farooq Renzu, we had received a complaint, which is why we issued a show-cause notice to him,” he said.
(TNS)
