Criticising the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for restrictions imposed on issuance of no-objection certificates (NOCs) for plots and registration of FIRs against builders, the Punjab Colonisers and Property Dealers’ Association commenced an indefinite agitation outside tehsil offices across the state from Monday.
The protesters locked the gates of the sub-registrar (central) office, thereby stalling all property-related work. Later in the afternoon, they staged a symbolic protest and took out a “funeral procession for the government” outside sub-registrar office on Gill Road.
Association member Tanvir Singh Rania said the state government has imposed a multifold hike in collector rates which has jeopardised the business. He added that the business had suffered a massive setback during the pandemic and was inching towards normalcy, but the recent policies have dealt a deadly blow for the realty sector.
The builders also demanded reforms in Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, PAPRA Act, 1995, and one-time settlement (OTS) scheme for regularising illegal buildings constructed within MC limits.
They said the even though the AAP, in its election manifesto, had promised to regularise illegal colonies, it had so far failed to make good on the promise and instead FIRs are being lodged against the colonisers who applied for regularisation.
{{/usCountry}}They said the even though the AAP, in its election manifesto, had promised to regularise illegal colonies, it had so far failed to make good on the promise and instead FIRs are being lodged against the colonisers who applied for regularisation.
{{/usCountry}}Association’s general secretary Deepak Badyal said the strike will continue till the government addresses their issues.
Meanwhile, residents were on the receiving end of the strike. Surjit Singh, a resident of Shimlapuri in Ludhiana, said that one of the staff members told him that due to the strike, work was stalled and hence he will have to return some other day.
The protest came under sharp criticism and many residents including social activists Kuldeep Singh Khaira condemned the manner of protest. He said property dealers’ lobby, who had earlier minted money by indulging in seeking the OTS scheme.