An ongoing drive of the Haryana Shahri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) to remove encroachments from roads and residential sectors has run into controversy with some residents alleging bias during the demolition drive.
The issue was taken up by Sanjiv Bhojraj, a resident, with the Deputy Commissioner at the District Grievances Committee meeting today. In a representation to the DC, Bhojraj alleged that there are a number of houses in residential sectors, which have encroached upon a road but the authorities have not taken any action against them till now.
He demanded that the anti-encroachment drive should be carried out in a uniform manner and without any bias across all residential sectors of the town.
Bhojraj, who runs NGO ‘Madad’, claimed that several influential persons in Sectors 14, 15, Urban Estate-2, besides other localities, have encroached public land by constructing ramps and boundary walls, but no action has been taken against them till now.
He alleged that some of them have even constructed sheds and raised walls in front of their houses to use the public space for parking of vehicles and other purposes. Bhojraj alleged that by doing so, they have narrowed the road which is causing inconvenience to public.
“Is the drive against encroachments limited to the common people only? It is shocking to see that the authorities are carrying out the anti-government drive selectively,” he alleged. The social activist said a special team should be deployed to ensure that there is no discrimination during the drive.
Bhojraj said Deputy Commissioner Mahender Pal took note of his petition as he had also provided him with photographs of the houses, which have encroached the public space but no action was taken against them. “The DC has directed the HSVP Estate Officer in Hisar to look into the matter and take appropriate action in this matter,” he claimed.
The Estate Officer, HSVP, Jyoti Mittal did not respond to repeated calls.
