Allottees meet new JIT chief, seek refund

Allottees of three residential schemes under the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT) met the newly appointed JIT Chairperson Rajwinder Kaur Thiara and Executive Officer Rajesh Chaudhary on Monday and urged immediate action on long-pending refund amounting to Rs 55 crore.

They raised concerns over the non-compliance with court orders and the years long delay in payments ordered by various consumer dispute redressal commissions. The pending dues pertain to three JIT housing schemes — Indra Puram Master Gurbanta Singh Enclave (2006), Bibi Bhani Complex (2010), and Surya Enclave Extension (2011, relaunched in 2016) — which have collectively drawn hundreds of consumer complaints over the years.

Many allottees, especially senior citizens, say they have been left in financial hardships due to the unresolved refunds.

ML Sehgal, a retired SDO and allottee under the Surya Enclave Extension Scheme, recounted his years-long efforts to recover his investment. “This endless struggle has been exhausting. Neither the previous government, nor the present administration has taken steps to resolve this mess. Our demands are simple: Release our dues and compensate us for the mental agony we’ve endured,” he said.

Sehgal added that they were hopeful the new leadership would escalate the matter with senior government officials and ensure timely disbursement of the refunds.

Chairperson Rajwinder Kaur Thiara acknowledged the meeting and said while the allottees had come to offer their congratulations and the matter of delayed refunds was also discussed. “Their issues were brought to our attention and I have assured them that steps will be taken soon to resolve the matter,” she said.