LAHORE: People, in an open court arranged by the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), lodged a number of complaints related to private and public sector housing schemes and other issues they have been facing in the Punjab capital.

They also sought redressal of their complaints and urged the top LDA officers to take appropriate action in this regard.

The open court was headed by LDA Vice Chairman Mian Marghoob Ahmad and Director General Tahir Farooq in the presence of various LDA officers representing the housing, metropolitan and town planning wings, one window and other directorates.

“We couldn’t get possession of our plot despite the fact we paid all dues. Whenever we contacted the scheme’s administration they failed to do so,” an official privy to the open court quoted a complainant as having said while explaining the issues in a major housing scheme on Multan Road.

The people also filed complaints against non-release of mortgaged plots they purchased due to various issues allegedly on the part of LDA as well as private housing schemes. They also raised the issues related to litigation on various plots in LDA-owned housing schemes and urged the LDA VC and DG to direct the officers concerned for clearing the plots of litigation and give them possession.

They also highlighted illegal occupation of plots, issuance of NOCs, transfer of plots in various housing schemes including Johar town. “A few days back, an official reached us, stating that the house where we have been living since long is not ours despite the fact we got the plots transferred by getting NOCs from the offices concerned in LDA. But now why LDA officials are forcing us to leave,” the official quoted another complainant as having said.

The official said most (70 per cent) of the complaints were related to housing schemes. Others include delay in issuance of NOCs, imposition of heavy fines on illegal commercialisation, litigation, bribe allegedly taken by an LDA officer, auction of plots, mortgaged plots, delay in various kind of approvals, encroachment, roaming of cattle, development works.

While hearing the complaints, the LDA VC and DG reprimanded the officers concerned for not taking appropriate actions against those involved in teasing the public at large on various issues. They directed the officers to quickly resolve the issues by writing letters to private housing schemes’ developers.

“We are sifting the record related to LDA schemes by introducing digital reforms. And hopefully, you people would feel comfort in near future in terms of resolution of your complaints,” said Mian Marghoob while speaking on the occasion.

DG Mr Tahir Farooq said citizen facilitation centre in LDA has been upgraded in a bid to resolve the issues being faced by the people. He directed the officers concerned to resolve all ‘genuine’ complaints within short span of time using all resources.

“I cannot tolerate use of delaying tactics by anyone in LDA,” he warned.

DRIVE: The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) on Thursday removed several illegal direction and promotional boards from greenbelts in various neighborhoods of Lahore.

The boards, installed by private housing societies, residences and educational institutions, were located in Johar Town, Canal Road, Faisal Town, Allama Iqbal Town and Raiwind Road, says a release.

The authority is planting hundreds of thousands of trees across Lahore which will help mitigate smog.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2024