8 years on, basic amenities still elude JIT’s Bibi Bhani Complex

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, June 29

Although the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT) constructed LIG flats at the Bibi Bhani Complex around eight years ago, the allottees continue to run from pillar to post as they have been unable to take possession of their flats till date due lack of civil amenities in the area.

Moreover, 24 allottees have complained that their flats only exist on paper and have never been constructed in reality.

As per information, the JIT in 2009 allotted 51.5 acres for the development of Bibi Bhani Complex, promising two-storeyed apartments equipped with all basic facilities and good quality infrastructure. The JIT then announced a self-financing scheme for the purchase of the flats and asked the interested buyers to make payment at once or in 22 installments within two-and-a-half years. The flats were priced between Rs 6 to 8 lakhs and the possessions were to be given in 2012.

Talking to the Tribune, President of the Bibi Bhani Residential Welfare Association, Darshan Singh Ahuja, said, “As per the terms and conditions of the scheme, the flats were to be completed by 2012, however, the JIT completed the construction work around 2014-15, and 24 flats have not been constructed till date. While there is no provision of water supply on the second floors, the roofs have been leaking, there are cracks on each wall of the flats, the park is lying in a poor condition and there are no street lights in the complex,” he added.

“At present, only 10 families have been living in the complex and among them just two are the owners, while the other eight families are tenants. Over 100 allottees have denied taking their possessions due to the poor quality of the flats and have approached consumer forum demanding refund of their principal amount,” said Ahuja, adding that the JIT never paid any attention to their pleas and kept on adjourning the matter on one pretext or the other.

Slamming the JIT for constructing poor quality flats, another allottee, Dushinder Kaur, said she paid nearly Rs 6 lakh in 2010 for the flat; however, she got the possession in 2015. “I have rented out the flat, but none of the tenants stay for more than two months as there are no basic facilities of sewerage and water supply available. The place is so unsafe that it seems that the flats can break down any moment,” she added.

When contacted, JIT Chairman, Daljit Ahluwalia, said he had made all efforts to fulfill the demands of the allottees and ensured development in the area. However, the allottees, he said, are adamant over taking cases to the consumer forum as they feel they will be given complete interest from 2012 to till present and the amount they invested would be doubled.

On the lack of basic facilities, he said a high capacity tube well had been installed in the area, but the water consumption was too less as not many people had been residing here, thus, they thought that if the machinery was not used as per its capacity, it would get dysfunctional.

Fact file

In the past, protests have been held by the allottees, demanding basic facilities in the area. Also, as many as 100 allottees of the Bibi Bhani Complex have filed their cases at the District Consumer Forum against JIT, demanding refund of the amount paid by them. Nearly 45 complainants have won cases against JIT, while others have been waiting for the judgement.