Getting no response from the Jalandhar municipal corporation (MC) on their repeated requests to relocate the modern dump constructed by the MC at Partap Bagh where the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT) has a commercial property worth around Rs 20 crore, the fundstarved JIT has now decided to sell the property by converting it into smaller units, so that it could attract bidders.
With no major source of income, it was the only way out for the JIT, which has been looking for bidders for the property since October last year. The JIT officials were earlier of the view that the newly-constructed modern dump by the MC was the main reason which was keeping the bidders away from it and this had led to a cold war between the two departments.
However, the JIT senior officials, on the condition of anonymity, have now admitted that the modern dump was just one of the reasons why they were not receiving any bidder for the property in the area. “The dump is not the prime reason. However, it’s one of the reasons,” said an official at JIT.
The JIT official informed HT that the people in the area were afraid to invest such a huge amount, which might increase during the auction, through a government channel, as it could directly bring them under the scanner of various government agencies. Meanwhile, when asked to clarify the MC’s stand on the issue, municipal commissioner GS Khaira had also made a similar statement a few days back. He said, “I don’t think modern dump is the reason for not getting any bidders for the property. The open dump has been there from a very long time. All that the MC has done is to cover that area with the latest method of modern dump.”
{{/usCountry}}The JIT official informed HT that the people in the area were afraid to invest such a huge amount, which might increase during the auction, through a government channel, as it could directly bring them under the scanner of various government agencies. Meanwhile, when asked to clarify the MC’s stand on the issue, municipal commissioner GS Khaira had also made a similar statement a few days back. He said, “I don’t think modern dump is the reason for not getting any bidders for the property. The open dump has been there from a very long time. All that the MC has done is to cover that area with the latest method of modern dump.”
{{/usCountry}}When asked if the MC would accept the request to relocating the dump, Khaira said, “We have received the letter but we have not taken the final decision on it.”
Meanwhile, sources have informed that the one of the two bidders who had come up for the auction of old swimming property in the area last time, had informed the JIT officials that he had been warned by the locals of a senior politician who was known for keeping his share in the major properties in lieu of saving the investors the trouble of falling into any legal trap. “We were warned that he would be asking for the same if the property was bought by us,” he had informed.
Background of the case
* In October, 2015, the JIT had put to auction the commercial property based in Partap Bagh.
* The auction failed to attract any bidders.
* The JIT officials were of the view that the newly-constructed modern dump by the MC was the main reason for keeping the bidders away from it.
* In the month of November, the JIT had sent an official letter requesting the MC to relocate the modern dump.
* After receiving no response, the JIT sent a letter again in December.
* Since the JIT has still not received any response, they have now decided to sell the property in small units.