Having been provided repeated chances by extending the date to get their unauthorised plots and colonies regularised, colonisers in the state are now complaining of delay in getting no-objection certificates (NOCs) to allow further sale and purchase of property.
Even as a large number of unauthorised plot holders and colonisres are yet to apply under the policy, those who have applied are alleging that authorities were delaying the granting of NOC, which was affecting the business. Friday was the last day for applying under the policy with late fee, which was fixed at 10% for plot holders and 25% for coloniers.
State president of Punjab Colonisers and Property Dealers Association, Kultar Singh Jogi said even as the last date for applying under the policy ended thousands of files are stuck with the authorities concerned waiting for NOC.
He claimed that the delay in granting NOC was hurting the business. Demanding to make the receipt of fee, which applicants had deposited for regularising the property, as NOC, he said had the authorities been granting NOC in time the number of application under the policy would have been much more.
"It is very simple. Had the NOCs been granted to applicants in time it would have facilitated the sale and purchase of properties thereby generating money in the business. With money in their hands more and more people will apply to get their properties regularised because people in large numbers have not done so because of financial constraints," he said, adding that more than 10,000 applications are pending across the state to get NOC.
{{/usCountry}}"It is very simple. Had the NOCs been granted to applicants in time it would have facilitated the sale and purchase of properties thereby generating money in the business. With money in their hands more and more people will apply to get their properties regularised because people in large numbers have not done so because of financial constraints," he said, adding that more than 10,000 applications are pending across the state to get NOC.
{{/usCountry}}Commissioner, municipal corporation of Bathinda (MCB), Vipul Ujwal, when contacted, said out of more than 4,000 total applications for regularisation here, they have granted NOC to about 2,000 and the process of granting the certificate to rest of the applicants was on.
He said files of all the applicants need to be checked properly to ensure that no error was left. "Requisite fee as per the fixed rates has been received from applicants and every file will be signed by me," he said.
Stating that fee receipt cannot be treated as the NOC because errors can come to light in files at later stage, which cannot be rectified once NOC was given, the commissioner said as the date for applying for regularisation under the policy ended on Friday, the officials who were busy in the process of receiving the applications till now will be free so the work of scrutiny will gain momentum. "I am hopeful that by the end of next week we will be able to clear the files," he said.
It is important to mention that date for applying under the policy has been extended by the government several times to give people more time to apply. The date was extended from October 7 to October 25, then to November 5. Another 10 days were given to apply with late fee, which ended on Friday. No communication had been made to officials with regard to extending the date further till the filing of this report.