Ludhiana | Resignation by LIT chairperson further delays draw of lots for flat allotment under Atal Apartment Scheme

The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) had announced a draw of lots under Atal Apartment Scheme on January 10. But the process was deferred after the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct on January 8

After chairperson of Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) Raman Balasubramanaim announced his resignation from the post on March 10 given Congress’ defeat in assembly elections, the process to conduct draw of lots for allotting the flats under Atal Apartment Scheme is under hanging fire.

The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) organised a draw of lots for allotment of flats with a delay of around five years in 2016 and even allotted 110 flats to residents. But the Atal Apartment Scheme was dropped in 2017 and the allottees were a harried lot. The scheme was again mooted in 2018, but was then dropped again. (HT FILE)

As many as 576 flats, including 336 HIG and 240 MIG flats, have to be constructed in 8.8 acres of land in Shaheed Karnail Singh Nagar and 1,018 applications have been received under the scheme, which has been relaunched for the third time in the last one decade.

The LIT had announced a draw of lots on January 10. But the process was deferred after the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct on January 8.

While 854 applications have been received for HIG flats, 164 residents have applied for MIG flats. The applicants have submitted ₹2.4 lakh and ₹1.87 lakhs for HIG and MIG flats respectively. The money will be returned to unsuccessful applicants.

The officials said as the applicants for MIG flats are less than the number of flats to be constructed under the project, the names of unsuccessful applicants of HIG flats will be added to the lot of MIG flats, to give them a chance and complete the process.

The LIT officials said now the senior officials in the local bodies department will have to take a call on the same after formation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state.

LIT executive officer Kuljit Kaur said, “The decision to conduct the draw of lots has to be taken by the new government. The preparations were done earlier but the department had to postpone the same due to Model Code of Conduct.”

Forwarding his resignation to chief minister Charanjit Channi on Friday, Balasubramaniam also urged the new government in the state to take immediate steps and make arrangements for conducting draw of lots and starting tender process for construction of flats.

The scheme was initially launched in 2011 when the then local bodies minister Tikshan Sood laid the foundation stone for the project wherein construction of 450 flats was proposed. The LIT organised a draw of lots for allotment of flats with a delay of around five years in 2016 and even allotted 110 flats to residents. But the scheme was dropped in 2017 and the allottees were a harried lot. The scheme was again mooted in 2018, but was then dropped again.

In the third attempt, CM Charanjit Channi again laid the foundation for the project on December 16, 2021.

Soon after the election results were announced on Thursday and cabinet minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu lost from Ludhiana west constituency, chairperson Balasubramaniam announced to resign from the post. A close aide of Ashu and nominated by the Congress government as chairperson of LIT on the recommendations of Ashu in July 2019, Balasubramaniam announced to resign from the post on moral grounds, as he was nominated by Congress government, which has not been given the mandate to run the state.