Bldg branch issuing fake receipts: Activists

Ludhiana: Raising allegations against building branch officials, the Public Action Committee (PAC), a group of activists, alleged that they are issuing building compounding fee and external development charges (EDC) receipts for plots where no construction has taken place.
They alleged that the practice was going on in various colonies on Jaspal Bangar Road as well as near Rudra Enclave, Lohara Road, which fall under MC’s zone-C. The building inspector, whose signatures are on the receipts, is already suspended in some other case, they claimed.
PAC member Kapil Arora said, “We came across some receipts pertaining to building compounding fees as well as the EDC for many plots. We visited the locations and found that there is not even a single building constructed there.”
He alleged that the building inspector concerned has issued industrial EDC slips for 20 plots measuring 100 square yards whereas as per building by-laws, the minimum area of industrial plots should not be less than 330 square yards. He said they came to know that such plots will be sold as commercial SCOs by the owners .
PAC member Amandeep Bains said, “We have filed separate complaints with the CM, chief secretary of Punjab, the vigilance department, principal secretary of ULB and the MC.”
MC chief Shena Aggarwal said a proper inquiry would be conducted and required action will also be taken. tnn