CEO Pahalgam Transferred Days After Raising Alarm Over 300 Illegal Constructions

Sameer Ahmad

Anantnag: Just days after Masrat Hashim, CEO of Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA), raised concerns over 300 illegal constructions in Pahalgam, the official has been transferred and posted as Deputy Labour Commissioner (Central), J&K, on Monday.

According to official sources, Masrat Hashim, CEO of PDA, had expressed serious concerns regarding the rampant illegal constructions within the jurisdiction of the Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA).

The official had issued notices to hoteliers, demanding an immediate halt to the ongoing illegal constructions in the area, sources said.

Furthermore, the PDA had written a letter to the government, urging immediate intervention to stop these violations, which threaten to damage the fragile ecology of the region.

The official revealed to a regional newspaper that nearly 300 illegal structures, including large hotels, guesthouses, and huts, have been erected across areas within the PDA’s jurisdiction.

Masrat Hashim took over as CEO from Tariq Naik just a month ago, in December. However, sources indicated that his transfer today may be an attempt to divert attention from the issue.

Sources further stated that Masrat Hashim had raised urgent concerns and called for robust measures to tackle the growing menace of unregulated construction in the Pahalgam area. His transfer now raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to safeguarding the ecological and cultural heritage of Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination.