RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) is grappling with a concerning situation as more than 318 illegal housing schemes continue to operate within the district’s jurisdiction without the approval of the RDA.
This rampant issue significantly strains civic amenities and poses threats to the environment.
According to sources, only 70 housing schemes have received official approval in the district.
A senior official expressed concerns over the inactivity of the planning wing, which has failed to monitor developers starting private housing societies without proper permissions from the RDA.
The official highlighted that the civic body’s responsible for establishing a housing society as a model and guiding private developers to follow the approved pattern.
However, the official alleged that the RDA was preoccupied with collecting fees from developers and granting permissions without conducting adequate due diligence.
The Punjab Land Revenue Authority took notice of this practice and sought details about violations in approved housing societies.
Despite warnings, the branch responsible for collecting details from these housing societies failed to take action.
According to the law, housing societies are required to provide essential amenities within their limits, including water supply, a sewerage system, a graveyard, schools, colleges, and public parks.
The land designated for these public facilities is also supposed to be transferred to the government.
RDA’s Director General, Saif Anwar Jappa, revealed that out of the numerous housing schemes, only 70 have obtained proper approval, while the rest remain illegal.
Jappa acknowledged that the record of state land was not adequately maintained before his tenure, but he successfully digitized all relevant records with assistance from the land revenue department.
The RDA has issued warnings to the owners and developers of illegal housing schemes, urging them to obtain approval from the civic body. Despite these warnings, many owners have chosen to ignore the directive.
Besides, Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha has taken a decisive stand on the matter, issuing a final warning to owners to seek approval and avoid the risk of blacklisting.
Source: DAWN
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