Draw of plot numbers: People vent spleen at BDA

Sukhmeet Bhasin

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Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 3

Chaos prevailed at the event organised by the Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) to allot numbers to the 978 residential plots, at the community centre located in Model Town, Phase-1, in the city.

These plots were cut on the sugar mill site in Budhladha in 2012 by the Punjab Urban Planning Authority (PUDA).

Plot owners started raising slogans, alleging that three years had passed since the launch of the scheme, but the colony had not been developed and they have not been given possession of their property.

They also alleged that without sending them notice, the BDA had organised a draw for giving plot numbers, which was against norms.

Notwithstanding the protest, BDA officials continued with the draw in a vacant room even as no plot holder participated in it.

Seeing the attitude of the BDA officials, the plot holders have threatened to knock the door of the court.

PUDA launched a residential plot scheme on the land of the Budhladha sugar mill in 2013. It cut out 978 residential plots, ranging from 100 to 500 sq yards.

The PUDA set Rs 6,000 per yard rate for these plots and it had to develop a residential colony on this land.

All basic amenities were to be provided by the BDA in the colony. The PUDA had asked the plot holders to pay 25 per cent in advance after launching the scheme.

Plot holders were also told that they would get the possession of their property. After the launch of the scheme, the BDA didn’t even allot any plot number.

Plot holders alleged that three years had passed but no road has been constructed. The colony is like a barren land, they added.

They also alleged that due to the negligence and careless attitude of the BDA officials, the scheme was not succeeding.

They said around 200 plot holders had surrendered and refused to take the plot.