Notwithstanding the tall claims of administration that a clean Government shall be provided to the people which shall be free from any bias, the recent notice of the Housing department on 4th January in clearly shows the selective approach of the Housing department.

In the said notice, the housing department has called for termination of lease deed of the allotees of Channi Himmat Housing colonies who have converted their residential plots into commercial properties. The housing notice states the land was exclusively allotted for construction of residential buildings and lease deed of those who are using it for any other purpose shall be cancelled.

Conspicuously, the notice has been signed by an officer having dubious reputation,who himself resides in Channi and conveniently ignores the fact that while these plots were allotted in late 80s and early 90s, not enough provision was kept for essential public utilities such as Banks/ATMs, Provisional Stores and other essential items of daily public needs and most of the commercial complexes have come up in Channi to meet the daily needs of the people. It is very difficult for an individual residing in Sector-5, where no commercial provision was kept by housing to travel 2 KMs to other sectors just to buy bread or any other essential item of daily use.

The most important matter of fact is that J&K Housing board as the name suggests has its jurisdiction over whole of J&K and has allotted plots in various colonies in Jammu and Srinagar but the selective approach of issuing notice to the residents of Channi Himmat and not to residents of Gandhi Nagar and other areas raises several eyebrows and displays clear bias towards Jammu. It also  raises several fingers on officer in question.

People of Jammu have time and again complained against the unauthorized and illegal constructions which create an impediment in the planned development of the city but such selective approach by the officials have often stopped any viable and legal action of the Government. Shall the State Administration headed by L-G act against such officers is a million dollar question?