Colonisers slam govt over draft regularisation policy

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 17

After PUDA yesterday released its draft for the proposed regularisation policy for illegal colonies, the colonisers here got together to oppose it tooth and nail.

Colonisers alleged that harsh restrictions would make it completely impossible for them to get their colonies regularised. Nishant Gupta, a coloniser, said, “We have been asked to pay Rs 20 per per acre for a colony with 25 per cent built up area. When we do not even earn as much profit from a colony, how do they expect us to pay up such a high fee? Further, we have been told that such a colony should have 35 per cent area under road network.”

Another coloniser alleged that the composition fee had been enhanced to 6 per cent from existing 2 per cent, making things more difficult for them. “It is not just the colonisers but also the residents who will be at problem with such restrictions. The policy stipulates that no plot holder will be able to get his plot regularised if the coloniser has not sought its approval first. How will the residents of colonies developed post 1995, be able to find their colonisers now after 20-22 years? Such residents will not be able to get NOC.” the colonisers said.