JAIPUR: Despite the state government expressing concerns about rising encroachments and unauthorized colonies, its move to regularize such settlements through Urban Service Camps has faced criticism from town planners and municipal officials. They argue that this policy incentivizes violations and undermines law enforcement.
Officials contend that this practice encourages builders to establish illegal colonies, banking on potential future government approvals.
A circular dated June 10 introduced relaxations to urban development laws, aimed at expediting case resolutions during these camps. Under this directive, matters like mutation, conversion of leasehold to freehold properties, issuance of no-objection certificates (NOCs), and plot subdivisions will proceed without requiring site inspections.
Urban planners have raised alarms, noting that bypassing site verification could have dire repercussions. A senior town planner remarked, “If multiple setbacks are violated, who is held accountable? In the event of a significant fire, will emergency services be able to respond if access is blocked?” referencing a recent incident in Kho Nagoriyan.
Many residents in unauthorized colonies are utilizing these camps to obtain ownership documents and legitimize their properties. Officials highlighted that successive governments have perpetuated a flawed system wherein encroachments on valuable government land can be legitimized by merely paying Rs 500.
Municipal officers have also raised objections to another relaxation allowing chief municipal officers to delegate tasks to junior or assistant engineers in urban local bodies where senior posts are vacant.
