LAHORE: The government has appointed building inspectors as enforcement inspectors across the province to improve the building control and enforcement-related job.

“The department has been facing issues of building control therefore the inspectors have been made enforcement inspectors to effectively enforce the relevant rules and regulations,” a senior official told Dawn on Thursday.

According to a notification issued by the Local Government & Community Development Department, the enforcement inspectors would be liable to take action against erection or re-erection of building over setback or parking area or building line area required to be left open under the rules.

“In exercise of the powers conferred under section 283 read with section 306 (2) of the Punjab Local Government Act, 2019 (PLGA 2019), the government of Punjab is pleased to appoint all buildings inspectors, having qualification and experience, as given in the Punjab Local Government (Appointment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2018, as enforcement inspectors (Building) for regulation and enforcement of the offences listed in the 15th schedule in their respective local governments. They (the inspectors) shall be supervised by the officers of planning wing,” reads the notification.

Designation has been changed to enforcement inspectors

The inspectors have been empowered to take action against changing or converting of the building / premises / portion (commercial building) into any use other than the specified one already under the law and the approved plan. They may take action against using or allowing the use for human habitation of a building declared by a local government to be unfit for this purpose.

They will be liable to enforce laws applicable on the failure to lime-wash or repair a building if so required by the local government.

“The enforcement inspectors may take action against undertaking of site development schemes without approval, violation of prohibition provided in the master plan (land use plan) or sanctioned site development schemes under this act or any other law for the time being in force including the plans and schemes sanctioned under the repealed enactments,” explains the notification.

The officials would also be liable to take action against erection or re-erection of a building without the sanction required under this act or using a building for a purpose which may endanger public safety. Moreover, they may also enforce the laws against establishing brick kilns and lime kilns within such distance of a residential area as may be specified by the local government.

“Designated enforcement inspectors other than the building inspectors are hereby re-designated as enforcement inspectors (general). All other offences listed in the 15th schedule shall be regulated by the EI (General). All necessary logistics support for the purpose of enforcement shall be ensured by the Chief Corporation Officer / Chief Officer of local government concerned,” it says.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2021