Panchayat locks driving test centre over unpaid rent

Tension prevailed at the Automated Driving Test Centre built on panchayat land in village Dusan Khurd, located between Goraya and Phillaur, after the village panchayat locked the facility on Thursday evening. The action came following non-payment of rent for nearly three years, amounting to around ₹6 lakh.

When the centre’s staff arrived on Friday morning, they were shocked to find the main gate locked from the inside. People who had come to take their driving tests and the employees were forced to wait outside in the heat for nearly one-and-a-half hours.

According to panchayat members, the land on which the automated driving test track was constructed belongs to the village panchayat. Despite repeated reminders to the department concerned and officials, no rent had been paid for the past three years. Frustrated by the inaction, panchayat members decided to lock the centre as a last resort.

On receiving information, Naib Tehsildar, Nurmahal, along with the BDPO-Rurka Kalan and the Panchayat Secretary, reached the spot and held talks with the panchayat representatives. The officials assured the panchayat that if they submit a written agreement and rent details, the pending dues will be cleared within 15 days.

Following this assurance, the panchayat unlock the gate and operations at the driving test centre resumed. The applicants and staff, who had been waiting outside, finally heaved a sigh of relief.

Local residents said the dispute highlighted the lack of coordination between local bodies and government departments, which ultimately causes inconvenience to the public.