4 illegal hotels sealed around Golden Temple

Amritsar, July 20
Cracking a whip against illegal hospitality units around Golden Temple, the MC has initiated to seal around four hotels for defying norms. It was the fourth attempt when the MC became successful in carrying out the action. Earlier, it had to withdraw operations due to stiff resistance by the hoteliers lobby.
A contempt petition was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court about the authorities’ failure in taking action against hotels, guest houses and inns operating illegally in and around the Galliara of Golden Temple.
In response to the contempt notice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Special Principal Secretary to the Deputy CM Rahul Tiwari has submitted an affidavit for not obeying the court orders meticulously, but assured to take corrective steps if there was any lapse or misunderstanding of the orders.
The Punjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO) had moved a contempt petition in the high court, contending that despite the orders, 52 hotels, inns and guesthouses have cropped up around the Golden Temple in the past couple of years.
In 2010, PHRO activist Sarbjit Singh Verka had challenged the functioning of illegal hospitality units and sought action against officers in whose tenure illegal building plans were sanctioned. The case is still awaiting final verdict and the next date of hearing has been fixed as August 28.
On May 29, a notice of motion was served to Tiwari, Amritsar DC Ravi Bhagat, MC Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal, SDM Sandeep Rishi and Senior Town Planner Hemant Batra for their failure to act against illegal constructions around the shrine.
The high court had issued directions on June 3, 2011, to take action against illegal constructions near Golden Temple. On July 20, 2012, directions were again issued not to sanction building plans in and around the Galliara, but the district and the state authorities continued to ignore it.
Even as the MC had attempted to seal the operations of some of these objectionable units twice – i.e. on August 20, 2014, and December 15, 2014, – but it had to withdraw the same following a staunch protest by hoteliers.
“We are still bound to obey whatever the high court directs us to do and it would be a continuous process,” said Sabharwal.
Verka found that around 52 guest houses and hotels were constructed after the high court directions issued in July 2012.
“The MC action was only for humble hoteliers and was just an eyewash. Many units, owned by influential people, still enjoyed the immunity as owners of these connived with municipal town planning officials,” said Verka.
HC directions ignored
The Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued directions on June 3, 2011, to take action against illegal constructions near Golden Temple. On July 20, 2012, directions were again issued not to sanction building plans in and around the Galliara, but the district and the state authorities continued to ignore it. Though the MC had attempted to seal the operations of some of these objectionable units twice — on August 20, 2014, and December 15, 2014, — it had to withdraw the same following a protest by hoteliers.