Report submitted: Punjab forms panel to rehabilitate slums: SC

Committee will also devise policies for low-cost housing schemes

ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has constituted a high-powered panel to prepare a provincial action plan for the rehabilitation of slums and provision of low-cost social housing to the homeless in the province.

On behalf of the Punjab government, the province’s Additional Advocate General Razaq A Mirza has submitted in the Supreme Court a report, wherein a notification is attached regarding the constitution of high powered committee, which consists of nine senior officials. Punjab’s additional chief secretary is the committee’s convener.

The report has been submitted in the Katchi Abadi case, wherein the top court on August 31 gave the last chance to the Centre, provincial governments and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to draft policies on low-cost housing schemes, rehabilitation of slums and construction of centres for the homeless.

The Punjab government’s report says the first meeting of the high powered committee was held on May 31 to review the policy guidelines and its implementation status in the province.  During that meeting, it was pointed out that issuance of stay by the civil courts is a hurdle in the removal of encroachments.

The meeting said survey of katchi abadis and slums should be carried out by private companies and not by the revenue administration or tehsil municipal administrations to stop the connivance of the officials of these departments.

The report says all the provincial laws, policies and plans would be reviewed in the next meeting and proper implementation mechanism would be discussed. The next meeting of the committee would be held shortly to frame a provincial action plan.

It reveals that Punjab’s Urban Rehabilitation Department has developed old colonies comprising 2,035 small built-up units, flats and quarters in Lahore.

Different quotas are also reserved for allotment of plots to the government employees, industrial labour, widows, dependent of deceased, sportsmen etc., and these plots are allotted on ‘no profit no loss basis’ under these special group quotas.

Giving details about Ashiana Housing Scheme, the Punjab government says 970 two-marla houses, 1,189 three marla houses and 196 five-marla houses have been completed in Lahore, Faisalabad and Sahiwal for the low income group.

The Punjab government is planning eight housing schemes, wherein 5,911 plots would be developed for low-cost income. Likewise, 1,079 three-marla houses and 1,032 five-marla houses will be developed in Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Kasur and Chiniot, says the report.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2016.