Illegal colonies evading CLU fee under lens

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 4

Illegal colonies evading fee for change of land use (CLU) and external development charges (EDC) are under the scanner of Punjab’s Local Government Department. Days after two Executive Officers of the department were suspended for overlooking “illegal construction” by a private builder in Zirakpur, the department is learnt to have sought a list of all such colonies from field offices. The maximum cases are from Zirakpur, Nayagoan and Kharar, all in the vicinity of Chandigarh. “It is premature to comment. The actual picture will emerge only after verification of record”, said a senior functionary.

Sources said owing to lack of coordination between the Local Government and Revenue Department, instructions issued by the Directorate, Local Government, to its field staff to check builders illegally selling independent floors when they only had approval to develop a colony had remained on paper. Promoters, say sources, have got plans sanctioned in the back date in connivance with officials.

A Vigilance probe into the issue when Navjot Singh Sidhu was Local Government Minister had uncovered the illegal activity. The vigilance had then conducted raids at various sites.