Islamabad - Lack of cooperation on part of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration and staff shortage are causing delay in action against the land grabbers in different parts of the federal capital, The Nation has learnt.
The enforcement directorate of the CDA had planned a major crackdown on the land grabbers in Jaba Teli and Pindorian areas of the capital for December 15 (yesterday). The CDA on December 8 asked the ICT administration to provide magisterial cover and police assistance for the operation. But to the disappointment of the directorate, the ICT administration did not confirm any support viz-a-viz magisterial cover and police assistance till the arrival of the day the action was scheduled for. The directorate had to postpone the operation and also sent a reminder to the ICT administration on the subject on December 14, 2015.
Now, the enforcement directorate has, on its own, planned the operation for December 17 and requisitioned police assistance and magisterial cover. According to the plan, operation will start in the morning and CDA enforcement squads will demolish encroachments under proper safety and security provided through police and Rangers on the site. It has asked the ICT administration for 5 reserves of police in anti-riots kits, besides two reserves of lady police. Four companies of the Rangers would be available as backup, the plan seen by The Nation reads.
On the other hand, director enforcement CDA has sought repatriation of officials from other CDA formations to the enforcement directorate as anti-encroachment drive has been at halt for the last two months due to shortage of staff. He particularly sought police Sub-inspector Arshad Warraich, currently attached with DMA, immediately back on job, besides the staff attached in other CDA formations.
He said the current field deployments and their technical supervision by designated assistants and deputy directors as per available sanctioned strength are adversely affected and therefore the vigilance and operations are not being done in true spirit.
He requested the member admin CDA to give top most heed to the issue to augment performance in all areas and get hold of massively spreading encroachment in all urban and rural terrains of the capital territory. He said two seats of deputy director enforcement, 3 posts of assistant director enforcement, 7 posts of inspectors, 5 posts of sub-inspectors, 2 posts of steno-typists and 6 posts of supervisors are lying vacant at the moment.
Meanwhile, around 200 fire and rescue staff of CDA yesterday staged a protest demonstration to press the authorities for approval of ‘risk allowance’ for them. They demanded the authorities to double their running basic salary for the risk they afford during their job as fire and rescue workers.