Government, Ludhiana colonisers on warpath

Ludhiana, October 27

Even as a deputation of Punjab Colonisers and Property Dealers Association, led by its president GS Lamba, met Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi here today to press their demand for issuing NOCs to the plots and properties for which composition fee had been paid to the regulatory bodies and initiating registration of sale deeds, the Housing and Urban Development Department and the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority have adopted a tough stand against development of illegal colonies.

While the property developers’ body had given an ultimatum to the state government to assist the crisis-ridden realty sector or else they would hand over keys of their establishments to the government, Principal Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Department Sarvjit Singh has intimated Chief Administrators of all the area development authorities to take action against anyone indulging in illegal colonisation.

In a letter dated October 25, Sarvjit Singh intimated the Chief Administrators (CAs) that it had been decided at the highest level to take strict action against the violators.

Accordingly, all the CAs have been directed to carry out surveys in their jurisdictions and take effective action against violators as per law in a time bound manner.

The Principal Secretary has also asked the CAs to send a weekly report to the Director, Town and Country Planning, on the action taken.

Within a month, there should be no area left uncovered and no illegal colony untouched, Singh asserted.

Making it clear that the government (read regulatory bodies) means business and developers of illegal colonies would not be spared anymore, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development) has given a 21-day notice to promoters of over 1500 illegal colonies in the district as to why departmental action should not be taken against them for carving out colonies in violation of law and without obtaining a license from the competent authority.

Meanwhile, after submission of memorandum to the Chief Minister here, Lamba claimed that Channi’s response was positive and he had assured them of addressing their grievances within 2-3 days. — OC