SBS Nagar: Violation of building norms, illegal CLU rampant

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, November 1

The track record of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) authorities where regulation and enforcement are concerned, is nothing to write home about and their lackadaisical attitude has led to a situation where building by-laws and illegal change of land use (CLU) have become rampant in most of the colonies developed by the Trust.

In particular, the situation in Shaheed Bhagat Singh (SBS) Nagar colony on Pakhowal Road here has become worse with shop-cum-flats (SCFs) having been fully converted into commercial entities, residential buildings being put to commercial use and residential plots being clubbed together for conversion in shops/show rooms in blatant violation of allotment rules. However, the enforcement machinery (engineering branch of LIT) has closed its eyes to the violations.

In two separate complaints lodged with the Principal Secretary, Local Government Department, Punjab, city-based social activists Maninderpal Singh and Arvind Sharma said residential portions in most of the SCFs in the E-block main market of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar had been converted into commercial establishments without seeking the CLU, which, in any case, was not permissible. The complaints further charged the staff of the LIT with being in collusion with property owners in these violations.

“Further, residential plots in the D-block are being clubbed together to make big halls for commercial use and even residential houses are being constructed with illegal projections and violation of ‘house line’ – a non-compoundable violation while the officials concerned are reluctant to take any action against the brazen violations for reasons best known to them,” the complainants alleged.

Ironically, the violations made by allottees of SCFs in the E-block was the subject matter of an inquiry by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau which had established the allegations of illegal change of land use (conversion of residential portion into commercial) as well as violation of the building bylaws through alteration in standard design and illegal extension of the buildings.

In addition to the allottees, the VB probe had also indicted field staff and officials of the LIT on various counts while recommending stern action, including cancellation of allotment against the allottees and disciplinary action against employees and officials concerned of the Trust for their alleged connivance with the property owners or dereliction of duty. However, no follow-up action was taken on this report even after the VB officials had sent several reminders to the LIT authorities.

LIT officials, however, said action was being taken on specific complaints of violation of building bylaws or illegal change of land use while notices had been issued for breach of terms and conditions of allotment to property owners where residential plots or buildings were being put to use for commercial purposes.

Blatant violations ignored by officials

• The situation in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar colony on Pakhowal Road here has become worse with shop-cum-flats (SCFs) having been fully converted into commercial entities, residential buildings being put to commercial use and residential plots being clubbed together for conversion in shops/show rooms in blatant violation of allotment rules. However, the enforcement machinery (engineering branch of LIT) has closed its eyes to the violations.
• In two separate complaints lodged with the Principal Secretary, Local Government Department, Punjab, city-based social activists Maninderpal Singh and Arvind Sharma said residential portions in most of the SCFs in the E-block main market of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar had been converted into commercial establishments without seeking the CLU, which, in any case, was not permissible.