20000227

Cantt authorities

urged to solve

lease problems

RECORDER REPORT

HYDERABAD: The vice president of the defunct Cantonment Board, Hyderabad, Saleem Akber Ali, has appealed that the problems confronting the residents of Saddar Bazar should be resolved in accordance with the provisions of the Cantonment Act 1924 and in the light of directives issued by the Ministry of Defence and other authorities.

The appeal has been sent by Saleem Akbar Ali, on behalf of the residents of the Saddar Bazar, to the executive officer of Cantonment Board, with copies to the CE of Pakistan, defence secretary, the director general of military lands and other authorities concerned.

He pointed out that in respect of the conversion of old grants into commercial/residential leases as per the government policy in the bazar area of Hyderabad Cantonment, the lease amount had been paid and the contract stood completed.

He maintained that the proposed modifications being worked out by the present administration were thus without legal and moral justification.

He quoted Rule 43(1) in this regard. He said that there remained no justification for the Cantonment Board to impose a supra modification in complete negation of the provisions of the Act.

He purposed that a committee of the notables of the area, elected members and the nominees of the administration should be constituted to work out the modalities to the mutual benefits and in accordance with the government policies.

About unauthorised constructions and encroachments of Bazar Area, Akber Ali quoted Sections 184 and 185 of the Cantonment Act and pleaded that a lenient view should be adopted and the unauthorised additions and alterations of buildings may be regularised in a reasonable manner.

About the recovery of taxes, he said that in view of the clear and explicit provisions of the Cantonment Act under section 89-93, there was no justification to harass the occupants and to seal the premises.

Akbar Ali took exception to the arbitarary increase in water charges, professional tax and other levies.

He said that the enhancement should be commensurate with the increase in such levies in the adjoining municipal area of Hyderabad City.

He said that proper procedure should be adopted and the authorisation of the competent authority and the ministry should be obtained prior to the issuance of bills to the residents.

Assuring full cooperation in the settlement of these issues, Akber Ali expressed the hope that these problems will be resolved in a legal manner.