Housing schemes’ audit sought
With delays in transferring possession of land to allottees a common issue, the civic and administrative authorities of the federal capital have decided to conduct a land audit of all housing schemes in the city.
This was directed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Chief Commissioner Aamer Ali Ahmed on Thursday during a high-level meeting at the Jinnah Convention Centre. Senior officers of the CDA including Member Planning and Design, directors of Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Housing Societies, Building Control Section (BCS) I and II, ICT Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat, ADCR and other senior administration officials attended the meeting.
While continuing to review the implementation of directions issued by Prime Minister Imran Khan to resolve issues of the housing and building sector in the federal capital, Ahmed directed sponsors of housing societies to ensure the provision of plots to its members and to complete development works.
Housing societies should not issue allotment letters for areas more than which are in their possession. Should they do so, then they are liable to face action from the registrar, Ahmed said, adding, “All those housing societies who have issued allotment letters in excess of their area of possession should immediately give possession to the allottees before making further allotments.
In this context, the DC, who is also the registrar, was instructed to conduct a land audit of all housing societies in the city on priority to determine what is the shortfall of land, if any, with respect to allotment letters issued by the societies.
The CDA chief assured sponsors of housing societies that their genuine issues will be addressed. However, he reminded them that their priority must be the provision of land, as per their commitment, to their respective members.
Should the societies fail to do so, the authorities will be forced to proceed against them under the law.
In this regard, the Sey Cooperatives director-general was instructed to complete proceedings within three months. The Registrar and CR were also directed to monitor and ensure surveillance of societies.
Further, the CDA chief directed officers of the authority to dedicate one day of the week for listening to the problems of and resolving issues of housing societies.
The immediate solution as per law should be sorted out after meetings with the representatives of the societies on dedicated days, he directed, adding that the ICT administration and CDA should work together, wherever required, for the immediate solution to problems.
Street light funds
The CDA on Thursday announced that they have allocated Rs60 million for the Street Lights Division of the authority.
Allocated by the Finance Wing of CDA during the first two months of the ongoing financial year 2020-202, the money will be used for the installation of electrical equipment such as transformers apart from the rehabilitation and renovation of street lights.
Providing a breakdown of the money allocated, the authority said that around Rs50 million has been allocated for the installation of electrical equipment while the remaining sum will be spent on the rehabilitation and renovation of street lights.
The CDA chairman in its directives said that the project was imperative to help keep all areas of the federal capital illuminated at night. Illuminated streets and thoroughfares, he said, were essential for the security of the city and citizens apart from providing a comfortable commuting experience.
He added that additional funds will also be made available in the coming days.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2020.