EWS flats built 7 years ago vacant

Sanjay Bumbroo

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, June 12

Even after seven years, the Municipal Corporation (MC) has failed to allot the 24 flats at Bitna village in Pinjore block of the Panchkula district.

These 24 flats were built by the Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Central Government at Bitna village in Pinjore in 2012. Former Central Minister Kumar Shailja had inaugurated the flats.

The state government had constituted a four-member committee to allot these flats to persons belonging to economically weaker sections (EWS) of society. The government had also issued advertisements in vernacular dailies for inviting applications and at present the committee had got only 11 applications.

Around six months ago, the MC had spent Rs 24 lakh for the repair of the flats as their condition was deplorable. The window panes and doors of some flats were damaged and the plaster on the walls had also come off, besides taps in washrooms and kitchens were stolen by miscreants. However, the MC was able to renovate the flats to give them a new look.

According to information the MC had invited applications from persons eligible under the EWS category so that flats could be allotted at the earliest. However, only 11 people applied for the flats till now.

The MC was hoping that after shifting 11 families to these flats it would create interest among other aspirants to apply for the remaining 13 flats.

The Municipal Commissioner-cum-Administrator, Rajesh Jogpal, said Rs 24 lakh was spent on the repair of flats. “We have advertised for inviting applications for allotment of flats. Till now, only 11 people have applied for the flats,” he added.

“We will soon hold a draw of lots for these flats. Preference will be given to physically challenged persons for the flats on the ground floor. The MC will also charge minimum fee as rent for these flats,” he said.