Open house: What needs to be done to check mushrooming of illegal colonies

Constitute special task force

Various scams have been unearthed in the construction of illegal colonies but the authorities concerned seem to lack courage in taking firm action against the defaulters. In fact, law on such pursuits is well in place, but its implementation is missing. Therefore in order to curb this menace, the authorities must constitute a special task force to keep a check on construction of illegal colonies and ensure that guilty don’t go scot-free.

Novin Christopher

Check credentials of realtors

It is bitter truth that unscrupulous developers dupe innocent buyers of their hard earned money by making them invest in owning their dream homes in the illegal colonies. This all goes on with impunity under the nose of the local administration, proving that some of the corrupt officers of the administration are hand in glove with these developers. Stringent action must be initiated against these developers as well as officers who are befooling the buyers. The buyers too need to be vigilant while investing their money in property. They must check the credentials of the companies and the legality of the colonies.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi

Keep an eye on illegal colonisers

Construction of illegal colonies under the nose of local administration is a very sorry state not only for the government but for residents as well. To stop the menace of illegal construction of colonies, there is a dire need to take stern action and punish them severely. Colonisers must abide by the law of land and the local government. There should not be any political patronage to colonisers who are constructing illegally. A special team to have a surveillance on the construction of these colonies must be formed having a retired judge on its panel. A phone number must be given or displayed at different prime places to report the construction of illegal colonies.

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

MC should inspect construction sites

It is a serious cause of concern that illegal structures are coming up in unauthorised colonies. Municipal corporations must form a committee under the chairmanship of the municipal commissioner to have a check on illegal mushrooming of colonies. The corporation has four zones, in each zone a team must inspect the site in and around that zone and bring the matter in the notice of commissioner Ludhiana. Deputy Commissioner must issue an advisory to all colonisers not to construct colonies without prior permission of the local administration and getting a nod from the corporation. Those who will violate the norms and order of the government must be punished. Buyers must verify from the MC about the ingenuity of these colonies where they are purchasing homes.

Farzana Khan

GLADA, MC lack will

Illegal colonies continue to proliferate unabated in and around Ludhiana. Provisions made under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA) have apparently been tossed out of the window and rules governing the development of colonies are being violated with impunity as more and more colonies are coming up all around the city. It’s obvious that GLADA and MC are not taking action against the developers of illegal colonies. The enforcement mechanism of these bodies be ramped up and the field staff be made accountable for proliferation of illegal colonies all around the city. Strict action should be taken against the erring officials. A chance should be given to these unscrupulous developers to get their colonies regularised within a stipulated period. Politicians should stop supporting such unscrupulous developers. The SDM and executive magistrate of the area should also keep a tab on illegal colonies in their areas.

RS SEMBHI

Developers befooling plot buyers

It is very disheartening that illegal colonies are mushrooming in Ludhiana. Plots and houses are coming up in unauthorised areas and lack basic facilities. Dealers are selling plots at low rates in these colonies. Moreover, buyers cannot raise loan on this property. Some developers indulge in unethical practices and by befooling illiterate as well as ignorant (especially migrants) sell land in these unauthorised colonies. The authorities should tighten noose around them and impose toughest penalties on such elements.

Dr Sunil Chopra

Set up fast-track courts

There is a need to set up fast track courts to settle disputes between home buyers and builders related to delay in possession, unauthorized colonies, demanding over-charge of expenses, not providing all the amenities as agreed etc. Further, the government should monitor unauthorized colony construction in its jurisdiction and publish the same in public domain so that innocent buyers do not fall into the trap of such builders. Law should be modified to notify high penalties on such builders and decent compensation to home buyers. Hope you would find the same useful and publish the same.

CA Sagar Gambhir

Check property papers before purchase

Developers need to follow sound and ethical business practices. They should work in good faith and in the best interest of the clients. The government should focus on the enactment of best legislation which contains the provisions related to legal practices in this field. Money minded developers or persons who dupe innocent buyers must be penalised. People should also be vigilant before investing in such properties. Papers and property documents must be checked carefully.

Ritu Priya

Break nexus between colonisers, officials

Mushrooming of illegal colonies in the periphery of Ludhiana is the result of lacklustre approach of official concerned which is one of the reason for this evil. The hefty charges for approval is deterrent in getting the colonies regularised. These charges should be reasonable so that common man can go for approved ones instead of unlicensed where even basic amenities are not provided. Effective regulatory measures should be implemented. Regular monitoring on illegal, unlicensed colonies and unauthorised construction should be there. Nexus between colonisers and officials of local regulatory authorities should be broken.

RV Singh

Act against illegal developers

The growth of unauthorised colonies has been the bane of urban planning and has resulted in giving rise to a grave situation. To tackle the problem of illegal colonies, GLADA can take strict legal punitive action against the developers of illegal colonies.

Adish Sood

Update list of approved colonies

To protect naive people from consuming their hard earned money on the purchase of plots in illegal colonies in Ludhiana, it is the duty of the authorities to update a list of government authorised colonies every year so that general public can become informed citizens and can oppose this malicious activity.

Kamaldeep Kaur

Don’t penalise people

Persons who invest money for getting a house in any unauthorised colony are the ones to be blamed first for investing their hard earned money therein. They are doing so with the false hope of building a permanent shelter for the family where they can spend the rest of their lives. This part must be appreciated by the government and such people must not be panelised for having such a wish but get some other alternate place to build the house. Starting of such a scheme will encourage people to have their own homes and simultaneously stop the growth of unauthorised colonies. It is mainly the responsibility of the Municipal Corporation not to allow the construction of such unauthorised colonies. If the corporation follows this principle strictly, these innocent people will not go in for buying houses in these colonies.

Gautam Dev

MC silent on regularisation

After great hue and cry in the general house meeting of the illegal colonies residents, the municipal corporation officials conducted demolition drive, but are silent about those settlements that applied for regularisation in the past five years. The officials claimed that many developers not submitted their documents and some deposit only one instalment of the development fee. However, the government has not taken any action against such illegal colonisers.

Anu Joshi

Make master plan of city

Colonisers are usually greedy. They start illegal colonies with the help of ‘corrupt’ municipal corporation officials and politicians. They allure people to invest in their cheap projects. To stop this menace, the government should first make a master plan of the city like Chandigarh. It should be based on future population pressure. Any new colony should be first approved by the competent authority as per the city rules. Buyers also shun their selfishness to purchase plots at lower rates at unauthorised colony. They should verify colony plan from authorities concerned. Speedy trial is also necessary for those officials found in corrupt practices.

Dr Sukhdev Sharma

Regularise colonies following MC norms

In order to check the rising menace of illegal colonies, the government should take strict action against the illegal developers. The municipal authorities should be vigilant about such projects and take timely action. The public should be made aware about the falsifying advertisements of the illegal projects. In order to provide relief to innocent buyers, the government should regularise the existing illegal colonies which meet the basic requirements and other should be ordered to undergo compulsory redevelopment.

Medha Batra

QUESTION

Ludhiana’s cleanliness ranking slipped from 34 out of 47 in 2020 to 39 out of 48 cities above 10-lakh population in the country this year under Swachh Survekshan-2021, the rankings of which were announced by the Centre on Saturday. However, the maximum city topped the state in Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge and ranked 26th in the country under this category. Where the industrial hub lacked that led to downfall in its performance and what needs to be done to further improve cleanliness in the state’s business capital?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to

[email protected]

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.