PDA yet to take action against developers

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 20

The Patiala Urban Planning and Development Authority (PDA) is yet to take action against developers who failed to regularise their illegal colonies by January 31.

The PDA had identified as many as 447 illegal colonies in 2018, however, it just received 116 applications for regularisation so far.

The policy, first introduced in 2013, has been extended around six times. Reintroduced in August 2018, the policy opened floodgates for regularisation of illegally colonies and plots in the state.

The PDA office, which initially focused on regularisation of illegally developed plots, has scrutinised 15 applications related to regularisation of colonies to date and has sent a demand notice to a coloniser for payment of complete fee.

Jaspal Kaur, superintendent at the PDA office, said they had been holding weekly meetings as per the policy.

However, the PDA has not initiated an action against colonies for which no applications have been received.

Surabhi Malik, Chief Administrator, PDA, said, “We will consider colonies as per the provision in case of an extension.”

She said they had not received any communication from the PUDA related to extension or action against illegal colonisers.

“We have decided to share the list of colonies identified during the survey with a committee set up specifically for the regularisation and taking an appropriate action in this regard.”