SMC seals 2 shops for selling flood-contaminated goods, conceals names

 “Health Officer Dr Rubeena Shaheen along with her team of Food Safety Officers closed down two shops at Maharaja Bazar area for selling flood hit food articles. The entire flood hit stock including essential commodities was seized on spot and later destroyed at landfill dumping site,” an official handout said.
“Dr Rubeena said that on receiving complaint we inspected all the shops from Mahraja Bazar area and found these shops selling flood hit items,” the handout added.
But this is the first official handout in the recent past which didn’t mention name of the accused. Otherwise since floods hit Srinagar on September 6, official handouts have been revealing the names of the “erring business ventured mostly shops, which resorted to sale of flood-contaminated goods.”
The public perception is that by concealing the names, the authorities not only try to unduly support the accused but even leave the shoppers in dilemma on who could be the culprit. “When identity of accused is not revealed, one suspects every shopkeeper,” said a civil society activist.
The SMC has started a helpline. “We request the public in general to register complaint immediately on our helpline which is 01942474499. People can also contact me directly in official hours to register the complaints,” Dr Rubeena said in the handout.
When contacted Dr Rubeena said she had asked the concerned to make the names of accused public. “I don’t know why it has not been mentioned,” she told Greater Kashmir.
Meanwhile the SMC claimed to have demolished some illegal structures. “In order to curb the growing  tendency of illegal constructions in the City after the recent floods hit the valley, the enforcement squad of Srinagar Municipal Corporation under the complete supervision of  Commissioner SMC Dr Qasba has kept a tight vigil  over the growing menace,” the official handout claimed.
“Till date one hundred and twenty three unauthorized constructions have been demolished from different wards of the City after floods. Prompt action has been taken by SMC against the people                        who had taken undue advantage or proceeded for constructions without the permission. All such illegal constructions have been demolished.”
“SMC has also removed near about three hundred encroachments in east, west, south and north zone of the City. These encroachments were both of commercial and residential in nature.”
“We are requesting public not to indulge in any illegal constructions. People whose houses have been damaged due to flood shall apply for building  permission  and can easily get the same,” said Chief Enforcement Officer Nisar Shah.
“The applicants can get permission at an earliest after the submission of the required documents. Therefore they shall approach legally for obtaining permission from SMC and restrain themselves from indulging in such illegal activities,” added Nissar Shah.