Allottees condemn JIT for not complying with court orders over ~45 crore refund

Allottees of three residential schemes under the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT), represented by the Joint Action Committee, held a press conference here today, condemning the JIT for non-compliance with court orders and the continued delay in releasing refund, totalling Rs 45 crore.

These payments, ordered by various consumer dispute commissions, have been pending for years, leaving many allottees, mostly senior citizens, in financial distress.

Darshan Ahuja, one of the allottees and president of the Bibi Bhani Welfare Association, said these residential schemes — Indra Puram Master Gurbanta Singh Enclave (2006), Bibi Bhani Complex (2010) and Surya Enclave Extension (2011 and then relaunched in 2016) — have been plagued by hundreds consumer complaints.

“Though many complaints were upheld by district, state, and national consumer commissions, the JIT has yet to fully comply with the rulings. Forced to file the execution application of the orders, the allottees have received only partial payments, with Rs 45 crore still outstanding”, he said.

The members of Joint Action Committee said several arrest warrants issued against JIT officials for failing to comply had gone unserved, with the authorities citing reasons like the officials being “Not Met.”

Despite meetings with JIT Chairman and Executive Officer, the allottees say they have received only empty promises. They expressed frustration that while the JIT managed to repay Rs 38 crore during a financial crisis, the current delay persists even though the organisation is no longer under debt.

The Joint Action Committee expressed disappointment in the Aam Aadmi Party’s governance, stating that despite repeated meetings with Local Bodies Minister Balkar Singh, no payments have been made.