Maradu, Kochi: The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala has reportedly instructed to issue a temporary unauthorised (UA) number to a building that was constructed by violating norms at Maradu in Ernakulam. A controversy has been raging after the Supreme Court ordered to demolish four apartment complexes at Maradu for violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
On behalf of the state additional chief secretary, the deputy secretary issued the order to give the number to a house within the Maradu municipality.
The Maradu municipality had issued a notice to the owner, seeking to stop the construction of the house that was being constructed by encroaching the backwaters and violating the coastal rules. When the owner continued with the construction, the municipality went ahead and removed the illegal structures. The owner subsequently went to the court and got a stay order against this.
Though the coastal management authority filed a petition against the stay order, that case is yet to be settled.
During this time, the owner completed the construction of the building and sought for a temporary number to be issued. However, the municipality refused to give the number until the final court verdict was out.
But based on the owner's request, the deputy secretary instructed to take immediate steps to issue the UA number, subject to the final court order. However, the municipality did not implement the order due to legal hurdles. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court order on the demolition of flats was issued and the procedures in this case was stalled.
The Supreme Court had on May 8 ordered for the demolition of the flats. Though petitions were filed against this, the apex court refuses to entertain them. It had also pulled up the LDF government over non-compliance of the SC order. The apex court had last week ordered the demolition to be carried out within 138 days.
‘Contract firm responsible for any losses’
Meanwhile, Fort Kochi sub-collector Senthil Kumar Singh, who has been tasked with the demolition process, has said that all concerns of the residents at Maradu would be addressed. He said that in case of any losses or damage caused during the demolition, the entire responsibility would be on the contract company. The company would bear the compensation amount and these would be clearly mentioned in the contract deal. Even for minor losses, compensation would be provided. All aspects of demolition, including third-party insurance, are under consideration.
Steps would be taken to ensure that those staying in nearby areas of the flats would not be affected by the demolition. Snehil Kumar said that only after complete safety is ensured that the flats would be demolished.