Mangalore: Regularization of Illegal Buildings Scary Trend, Fears Lok Ayukta
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR)
Mangalore, Jul 16: It is really unfortunate that the government has gone for "one-time regularization” of unlawful buildings in the “larger public interest", stated Justice N Santhosh Hegde, Karnataka, Lok Ayukta, here on Sunday, July 15.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the Nagarika Hitarakshana Vedike, Mangaladevi, which is in essence a citizen’s forum.
According to the Lok Ayukta Hegde a total of 64 multi-storeyed buildings in Mangalore which had violated the construction by-laws, had been regularized by the government. This is indeed a scary trend as it gives an impression to the builders, that they could violate the building by-laws and have it approved at a later stage, he averred.
Moreover such liberalization would lead to the construction of further illegal structures, as the builders would treat the permission as ‘taken for granted’ and that would lead to a situation when any government authority will not be able to control the construction of illegal structures, feared Justice Hegde
However, Justice Hegde did state that based on the report of a special officer - vigilance director K L Anande Gowda earlier deputed by him, he had in turn submitted a report to the government. And therein he had stated clearly that the sanctions given by the officials and Mangalore city corporation in the said case of the 64 multi-storeyed buildings are illegal.
Justice Hegde also stressed on the importance of inculcating good values among the younger generation to fight against corruption. There is a need to take corruption seriously, and social boycott of corrupt officials could be an effective tool in this regard, pointed Justice Hedge.
He further exhorted the people to be good citizens and bring instances of corruption to the notice of the Lok Ayukta in order to root out the menace of corruption. Collective efforts will always bring positive and quick results, he said.
The Lok Ayukta had received a total of 234 complaints, while it is 135 till date since January, he informed. He advised the general populace to differentiate between the rich by taking into account the methods they employ to reach such levels.
Udupi Human Rights Foundation chairman Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag, also while speaking on the occasion, stated that any struggle need not be in a violent manner. In many instances silent and tolerant follow-ups lead to revolutions in the society, he added.
His definition of the term ‘struggle’ was all people responding to the problems of their fellow beings. He also suggested to the newly inaugurated Vedike to adopt its own strategies to fight against the injustice prevailing in society.
The Nagarika Hitarakshana Vedike's inaugural was presided over by the SDM law college principal Dr B K Ravindra. Vedike president G Hanumant Kamat and advocate A Udayananda too were present on the occasion.
(Note: Graphics shown here are for illustration purpose only and they are in no way related to Mangalore.)