LIT decides to put off e-auction of properties

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, May 12

The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) has decided to put off the e-auction of built up commercial properties and residential plots after legal issues in the auction process were highlighted by Pushpinder Singal, district president of the BJP.

In a complaint to the Punjab Governor, the Chief Minister, Principal Secretary, Local Government Department, Punjab and Director of Local Government, Punjab, Singal had alleged that rules governing e-auction of properties were being bent by the LIT top brass for their vested interests.

In the complaint, he alleged that a public notice for the e-auction, to be held on May 13, 2021, was published in newspapers on April 29, just 14 days prior to the date of e-auction. “This is a blatant violation of the provisions made in The Punjab Management and Transfer of Properties Act, 2020 which lays down that no auction shall be conducted until the expiry of at least 30 days from the publication of such notice,” he said.

Singal further alleged that LIT chairman Raman Balasubramanium and Executive Officer Kuljeet Kaur had deliberately given a shorter period between the date of publication of e-auction notice and the e-auction proceedings to provide undue benefit to their near and dear ones.

The complainant maintained that earlier also complaints were lodged with the LIT authorities about certain irregularities and illegal acts but these were ignored as the LIT chairman claimed of being close to senior leaders of the ruling party. The BJP had called for an independent enquiry into the e-auction.

Copies of the complaint have also been sent to the DC, Leader of the Opposition Party in Punjab Vidhan Sabha and Chief Vigilance officer of Local Government, Punjab.

The LIT Executive Officer Kuljeet Kaur said the complaint had been brought to their notice and it had been decided to put off the e-auction for the time being. “We shall seek permission from the government for issuing a corrigendum for extension of the date of e-auction to give 30 day’s clear notice for the same as per legal provision,” she said.

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