Realtors threaten boycott of Cong in Ludhiana MC poll

JALANDHAR: Perturbed over the alleged anomalies reported in the draft policy for the regularisation of unauthorised colonies and plots, the Punjab Colonisers and Property Dealers’ Association has threatened to boycott Congress candidates in the Ludhiana municipal elections scheduled to be held on February 24.

Colonisers protest the goverment’s regularisation policy in Jalandhar on Monday. Tribune Photo

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 19

Perturbed over the alleged anomalies reported in the draft policy for the regularisation of unauthorised colonies and plots, the Punjab Colonisers and Property Dealers’ Association has threatened to boycott Congress candidates in the Ludhiana municipal elections scheduled to be held on February 24.

While holding a state-level meeting of colonisers and property dealers in Jalandhar today, association president Kultar Singh Jogi and general secretary Gurwinder Singh Lamba urged the colonisers and property dealers from all across the state to join hands in protesting against the alleged draconian policy.

“If the government does not hear our concern, the association will begin a series of protests at the district level and will also boycott Congress candidates in the Ludhiana MC elections,” said Lamba.

Lamba said before elections, Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal was heading the poll manifesto committee and he sought suggestions from realtors to strengthen the real estate sector.

“I sent him a memorandum which had various suggestions pertaining to the recognition of the real estate sector as an infrastructure industry and setting up a state board to look after future growth. Also, there was a suggestion to regularise all authorised colonies on or before March 2013 on ‘as is where is’ basis,” said Lamba, adding that when the Congress printed the exact copy of his memorandum in its poll manifesto to boost up the real estate sector, the colonisers extended support to the party.

“If the government does not keep its poll promise, the colonisers and those working in alliance with the real estate sector will boycott Congress candidates in the Ludhiana MC elections followed by Lok Sabha elections to be held in 2019,” said Lamba. Speaking on the occasion, association president Kultar Singh Jogi alleged complete failure of the state government departments in providing affordable housing to the public which had given rise to over 30,000 illegal colonies spread in over 1.5 lakh acres in the state.