JIT fined Rs 3 lakh for not giving possession of plot

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, February 15

The Jalandhar Improverment Trust (JIT), which is already reeling under debts, has suffered another jolt after the National Consumer Forum, addressing a complaint of a Sangrur-based resident, has ordered the Trust to refund the earnest money of Rs38, 99, 638 to her.

Besides, in its orders, the forum asked the Trust to pay Rs3 lakh as compensation and Rs20,000 as litigation expenses to the complainant. The Trust was penalised after it failed to give possession of plot to the complainant.

The forum in its judgement has directed the JIT to refund the principal amount of Rs38, 99, 638 with rate of interest for the house building loan in the corresponding period of a scheduled nationalised bank. The Trust was told to make all payments within four weeks of the date of pronouncement of the judgment.

The complainant, Pooja Garg, who had bought a plot at Surya Enclave Extension, Jalandhar, in 2011, filed a complaint with the forum. In her complaint, she said, “In 2011, the JIT had come up with a ‘development’ scheme for the allotment of residential plots in Surya Enclave Extension on 94.97 acres. It offered around 431 plots ranging from 100 square yards to 500 square yards to the public at a reserve price of Rs17,000 per square yard.”

She said, “Despite paying the full amount of Rs39 lakh for a plot of 200 square yard in Surya Enclave Extension, the JIT failed to hand over its possession that was meant to be given in 2014. Besides, no development work took place in the area as promised by the JIT.”

According to ML Sehgal, president, Surya Enclave Extension Welfare Society, there are 16 more allottees who had paid around Rs40 lakh to Rs50 lakh each, but till date, they have not got possession as the JIT failed to clear encroachments in the area. He said the Trust had not fulfilled its promise of constructing a 120ft road to the railway overbridge that directly connects Surya Enclave Extension to the city railway station.

He said many other allottees had filed their complaints with the forum as despite spending over Rs35 lakh for each plot, the JIT had not provided any facilities in the area.

“There are no water, sewerage and electricity connection in the area. Even roads are also not constructed,” said Sehgal, adding that the JIT had even failed to provide a tubewell connection.