Jalandhar Development Authority rejects applications of 252 unauthorised colonies, recommend FIR’s

JDA has rejected the regularisation applications of 252 such colonies, on account of not fulfilling the norms laid down under the regularisation policy of the state government.

Taking an action against the mushrooming of unauthorised colonies, Jalandhar Development Authority (JDA) has rejected the regularisation applications of as many as 252 such colonies on account of not fulfilling the norms laid down under the regularisation policy of the state government. In a press statement, chief administrator JDA, Deepsikha Sharma said that most of the rejected applications were not meeting the norms and requirements of the regularisation policy.

(HT file photo)

Likewise, the promoters of these colonies, despite repeated notices served by the JDA, failed to submit the requisite regularisation fee fixed by the government, she said, adding that the zero-tolerance policy has been adopted by the department against unauthorised setting up of colonies. The JDA chief stated that the procedure of registration of FIRs has also been initiated in 135 cases while the officials have also identified 40 more colonies developed without government approval, which will also face legal action as per provisions of the Act.

The FIR recommendations have been made to respective police authorities of concerned districts so that action against unauthorised colonies could be taken as per the mandate of the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA), she said. Notably, these applications were dismissed by the JDA on account of not depositing the requisite fee and documentation under the regularisation policy.

She reiterated that JDA would leave no stone unturned to rein in the practice of unauthorised setting up of colonoies in the district as a crackdown against such activities has already been launched by the authority. She asserted that the unauthorised colonies not only caused huge losses to the state exchequer but also inflicted fraud on the people as residents of these colonies suffer problems due to the lack of basic infrastructures like electricity, road, drinking water, and sewerage system among others.