New residential sectors: Civic body a tad wool

Following SC orders, CDA seems to be between a rock and a hard place.

ISLAMABAD:

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is still confused about how to develop new residential sectors in the capital to meet the present housing shortage.

The authority’s top officials are not clear on the compensation formula for local residents because of recent Supreme Court (SC) orders. The court’s directions have compelled the authority to reclaim state land in illegal possession without offering any kind of compensation or package deals to the illegal occupants.

Sources say the CDA chairperson told the authority’s board members that it was necessary to re-examine the compensation and package deal formula, following the SC orders. Prior to the orders, the CDA reportedly gave compensation for some plots twice, in violation of the authority’s own adopted formula.

The sources also revealed that the CDA’s legal department was preparing formulations to explain the status of the authority’s deals with the occupants. Earlier, the civic body had sought the federal cabinet’s approval to begin development on two new sectors, namely I-11 and E-12.

The cash-strapped civic body had introduced a strategy to develop the desired sectors. As per the plan, a one-kanal plot in a developed sector was to be given to a landholder in return for four-kanals of raw land. But contrary to this, valuable plots were auctioned twice to meet financial necessities in previous years.

A top official of the authority told The Express Tribune that the board members were advised not to go ahead with any joint venture that was in violation of the court’s orders.

CDA Chairperson Imtiaz Inayat Elahi confirmed the development and claimed that the authority would take back its acquired land in light of the orders. However, he said they planned to develop new residential sectors, as they would prove to be good news for the city’s residents.

At present, the acquisition of land for new sectors is carried out by the CDA which pays landholders compensation for both land and built property. As per the new plan, the entire sector would be sold to a private party after the mode of compensation has been announced. The private party would then deal with the landholders.

According to sources inside the authority, the civic body wished to resolve its own financial issues and long-standing issues of locals through the new strategy. Sources said CDA has assigned its Planning Wing with the task of preparing a feasibility report on the new plan in light of the legal department’s recommendations.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2011.