Civic body cites staff shortage as an excuse in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Lack of qualified officials is  the main cause for the sorry state of the roads and rampant deviations in construction sites. Even though the GHMC has it own team of engineers, it depends on Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University for inspections and certification.

Every illegal construction in the city can be traced to an individual, assistant city planner (ACP) of each Circle. GHMC should not only demolish the illegal structures, but also suspend and initiate a departmental inquiry against the respective ACP, under whose tenure such construction started, say citizens.

Issuing of occupancy certificates is a big business, right from the Head Office to the local Circle. Apartments built on 200 sqyd, which are illegal, were issued OCs, in violation of the GHMC Rules.

Dr G.V. Rao, member of alwal resident association, said, “The Circle ACP puts the blame on zonal office, which in turn blames the head office. “When RWAs file cases in courts for action against illegal constructions, GHMC advocates remain absent and do not turn up nor participate in  the legal process. In many cases it took one year for a GHMC advocate to involve himself in a case allowing the builder to complete the constructions.”

“The common reason an ACP gives is that the local corporators or local MLA is pressuring them not to take action. The municipal body should issue a common order asking people’s representatives not to interfere.” added the members.