July 28, 2006	Friday	Rajab 1, 1427

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LAHORE, July 27: The city district government is pushing various utility services providers to cut off their supplies to the illegally constructed buildings, warning them of action in case of non-compliance.

In separate letters issued on July 25 to the respective authorities of all utilities — Sui Gas, Lesco, PTCL, Wasa, etc. - DCO Muhammad Ijaz said the apex court had taken a suo motu notice of illegal constructions and “the gravity of situation warrants cooperation from your department, which is main service provider to the newly-constructed buildings.”

The communiqué issued to these agencies contained a veiled warning that enforcement inspectors of the CDGL could “seal premises, seize goods, demolish or remove work thereby the aforementioned action can also be taken against the articles/fixtures (of the utility) installed within the illegal buildings.”

They were further told that contravention of any instruction issued by the CDGL was also an offence.

The agencies’ high-ups were requested to direct their staff concerned to not to issue any temporary or regular connection to any commercial building or industrial unit without obtaining verified copy of sanctioned building plan and completion certificate in case of regular connection.

Later, the DCO issued another order the same day (July 25) clearly warning high-ups of the utilities that they were liable to be punished if they did not follow the instructions.

“Any violation of aforesaid instructions shall constitute offence liable to be punished under section 141, schedule IV & VIII of the PLGO 2001.”

The DCO justifies his step saying only this policy could check rampant illegal building activities.

ENFORCEMENT INSPECTORS: The CDGL has appointed 100 enforcement inspectors who will be allowed to issue fine tickets to violators of various sections of the Punjab Local Government Ordinance (PLGO).

The Zila Council will approve these appointments in its next session.

The step was necessary to provide a mechanism for implementation of local laws under the devolution plan, District Nazim Mian Amer Mahmood told a press conference here on Thursday.

DCO Muhammad Ijaz was also present on the occasion.

The PLGO had been amended for authorising district government officials to penalise the violators of 47 offences mentioned in eighth schedules of the ordinance, Amer said. The minimum fine amount would be Rs300 and the maximum Rs5,000, he said.

On reoccurrence of a violation, the nazim said, the inspectors would refer the case to courts which could hand down a six month jail term to the guilty.

He said the inspectors would be bound to present their reports before the media on 20th of every month to help ensure transparency in the process.

Moreover, registration of FIRs by police would be compulsory as DPOs would have to release details of these cases on 28th of each month, he added. Details of fines and FIRs would also be available on the district government’s website.

If someone felt that he had been issued fine ticket wrongly, he could approach courts for redressal of his grievance, he added.

MONSOON: The district nazim also said that various squads headed by tehsil municipal officers (TMOs) had been formed to cope with any emergency situation during the current monsoon season.

Representatives of Wasa, Revenue department, Wapda, Sui Gas, Civil Defence, Solid Waste Management and other agencies will also be included in the squads for activating their respective departments in any emergency.

Each squad, having a truck, a de-watering set and other necessary equipment for draining out rainwater from low-lying areas will reach the troubled spot without delay, he said.

Mian Amer said he had directed officials to continue cleaning of main drains round the clock even during the rainy season, while collection of solid waste should also be enhanced.

He also sought lists of dangerous buildings located in each town, besides details of their occupants and estimated cost of the structures for taking a decision regarding their future.

The report will be submitted to him within three days.

Wasa MD: The provincial government has withdrawn transfer orders of Inam Qadir, the managing director of Lahore Wasa, on the intervention of the district nazim, who claims that for the time being the officer’s replacement is not available.