Ex-Congress councillor in tight spot as Tewari told to stop illegal construction

Taking note of a complaint filed by city resident Kripal Singh of Sarabha Nagar with the Punjab Human Rights Commission and also an RTI application filed by him with the Department of Local Bodies,the department has now ordered action against the ex-councillor.

Singh,in his complaint filed with PHRC on March 20,had alleged that “Amrit Varsha Rampal,who was area councillor from 2002 to 2012,misused her official position and illegally encroached the land and also did illegal constructions on land”.

The complaint also mentioned B K Rampal,the ex-councillor’s husband. Both are lawyers by profession and live in the neighbourhood of the complainant.

Singh complained that “in violation of law,they built illegal basement in their residence (159-J,169-J and 170-J) and rented it for commercial activities like tuition centres,kitchen appliances business,dance classes and girls’ hostel which has turned the area into complete mess with girls and boys engaging in indecent activities and parking vehicles anywhere”.

The Rampals have built four floors and basements against the original plan of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT),according to Singh.

The complainant also alleged that the Rampals illegally widened the road from 20 feet to 40 feet for parking vehicles of customers and that too by destroying the green belt,creating nuisance and traffic rush in the area throughout the day.

Kripal Singh told Ludhiana Newsline,“We submitted numerous written complaints to the mayor and MC commissioner in 2012 but due to their political position,no action was taken against them (the Rampals). Now I am relieved that some action will be taken.”

When contacted,B K Rampal,talking on behalf of his wife,said,“We are not aware of any such orders. We will see when orders reach us.”