Total encroachment of the Poonch city market raises a big question mark on the Poonch municipality; Absence of ‘Safai Karamcharis’ converting the city into a garbage dumping site; administration nowhere

POONCH TODAY NEWS

POONCH: Addressing public issues on priority is the hallmark of an efficient administration, but the horrible state of affairs of the Poonch district administration shows that the people of Poonch city are on the mercy of God only, as officials have no time in addressing the issues of public concern. Poonch city market, from the parade bazaar to the bus stand through the main bazaar and Poonch fort market, has been openly encroached at different places, raising a big question mark on the efficiency of the administration.

Although the DC office Poonch was seen showing its on-paper efficiency through press releases, the ground condition tells another side of the story, as due to the weak approach of officials, it’s the common man of Poonch that has been suffering a lot due to encroachment of market issues. At various places like near Degree College, Poonch Fort, Parade, and other places, haphazard illegal parking of rehris and vehicles also adds fuel to the already burning problem of encroachment. The horrible state of affairs is evident from the fact that an issue of huge public concern near Degree College Poonch was brought into the notice of DC Poonch by “POONCH TODAY” at the end of August, but after the passing of one month, no action has yet been taken by the DC Poonch, and it clearly shows how the DC office treats the public issues. Hundreds of people suffer daily in various parts of the Poonch market, as shopkeepers are seen openly encroaching on market space, lanes, and drains.  In front of Poonch Fort and on the main highway near the fort, a number of rehris walas are seen on the main road, causing huge inconvenience to the traffic. Some shopkeepers in the Poonch fort-bus stand market have encroached more than five feet on the main road, but the municipality officials have been least bothered to address the issue. Moreover, illegally constructed shops in front of Poonch Fort have openly encroached on drains, but it’s shocking that no action has yet been taken by the municipality and Tehsildar Haveli against them. Who allowed the illegal construction of shops within 100 and 200 meters of the Poonch fort as per the Ancient Monument and Preservation Act? It clearly shows that all the tainted officials of Poonch municipality were involved and are still hand in glove with the encroachers. Although municipality officials were seen taking action once in a blue moon, it is the common man who suffers a lot due to this burning problem.  In addition to encroaching space, a rush of three- and four-wheelers in the market added fuel to the fire, as locals alleged that the municipality and police are not doing anything concrete on a regular basis to finish this unhealthy practice. Although this illegal act of market encroachment has already caused huge inconvenience to the people, now another menace has started, and that is the illegal parking of rehris on the highways. The Nakhanwali Chowk-Poonch Fort Highway remains ever busy, and it is difficult for the common man to pass through due to the heavy, mismanaged rush of vehicles. An impression has been generated in the town that municipality officials are nowhere, and this has raised a big question mark in the Poonch municipality. Moreover, due to the absence of ‘Safai Karamcharis,’ the city has become a garbage dumping site, and the shocking thing is that the administration is still in deep slumber. It seems the administration is being run by inefficient officers who seem to be overlooking the things on the ground. The municipality officials are also seen visiting the market occasionally to direct the shopkeepers not to capture the space, but once they are gone, shopkeepers are restored to their regular practice of encroachment again. Sunny Sharma, a businessman, said, “Every officer is passing his time. Who cares about the public? Look, shopkeepers have now encroached on lanes and drains openly. Due to a lack of planning on the part of the administration, our once beautiful city has become an epicenter of garbage. Every area of the city is encroached on in one way or another.” Locals have demanded the attention of the government on the matter and also sought routine anti-encroachment drives to finish this menace and give people a sigh of relief.