JALANDHAR: Suresh Kumar, chief principal secretary (CPS) to the Punjab chief minister, and Congress MLA Pargat Singh flagged the issue of mushrooming of illegal colonies.
Notably, it was a rare occasion when Suresh inaugurated important development projects worth Rs 161 crore in Jalandhar Cantonment constituency on Tuesday.
Addressing the gathering, Jalandhar Cantonment legislator and hockey Olympian Pargat, who managed to get Suresh to inaugurate the projects, said when some developers carve out illegal colonies, public representatives have to cut a sorry figure before the people.
“Some persons eat into the government revenue, which would have been generated with development of legal colonies, in connivance with some officials. But due to these elements, politicians and other officials face the flak. Officials should ensure legal colonisation at any cost,” he said.
He also pointed out that unplanned and illegal colonies also have long-term consequences on urban planning.
Citing an example, he said on the rear side of Lovely Professional University (LPU), some colonisers might have obtained clearance for just 10 acres, but they developed colonies over 200 acres. “Officials responsible for checking this mushrooming of colonies take money and politicians cut a sorry figure in public perception,” he said.
He also thanked Suresh for helping him in getting clearance for the development projects worth Rs 161 crore.
In his address, Suresh said he was aware of a report that 34-35 illegal colonies mushroomed in the area under Jalandhar Development Authority. He said the Municipal Corporation and JDA should act tough against such colonisers. He asked the officials to shut the businesses of those who were indulging in such blatant illegal acts. He said buyers in such colonies also suffer and feel deceived.