LDA gets CM’s attention

Punjab chief minister orders regularisation of LDA employees, computerisation of land records

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has granted approval to regularisation of the services of contract employees of Lahore Development Authority (LDA), computerisation of entire record of files and establishment of Construction Management Company, Ravi Zone Development Company and Lahore Water and Sanitation Company.

The chief minister was presiding over a meeting of LDA Friday. Provincial Minister for Housing Tanvir Aslam, secretaries of Housing, Local Government, Planning & Development departments, Lahore commissioner and LDA members were present on the occasion where the LDA director general gave a briefing to the meeting.

The Punjab chief minister also announced to waive off fine on the non-construction of houses on 5-marla plots within the stipulated period. Meanwhile, approval in principle has also been given to the project of elevated expressway from Gulberg to Motorway.

The Chief Minister while rejecting the proposal of increasing the charges on use of water in private housing schemes under the administrative control of LDA, directed that the concerned departments should first provide better services to the citizens.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that the files of plots in LDA schemes will be computerised under a phased programme. He said that digitalisation of the land record of the LDA will facilitate the citizens and eliminate forgery.

The chief minister issued instructions for the early completion of land record computerisation programme and granted approval to its budget. The meeting decided to withdraw the responsibility of building control and removal of encroachments from LDA so that it could concentrate only on development projects.

Shahbaz said that abolishment of fine on non-construction of house within stipulated period over plots of a maximum five marlas will provide relief to low-income people. He said that installation of solar LED lights in the new plazas and housing schemes has been made compulsory and this decision should be implemented in letter and spirit. He directed that proper space be allocated for car parking in the new plazas so that traffic problems could be avoided.

The meeting also decided to grant permission for temporary commercialisation, however, it will be conditional upon obtaining no objection certificate from the neighbours and payment of annual fee. Moreover, permission for the construction of commercial buildings will be given according to the size of plot.

The meeting also decided to give permission for the construction of four-storey building on residential plot whereas earlier only two-storey building could be constructed. The chief minister said that the area around the Canal is very important with regard to the beauty of the city, therefore no commercial activity will be allowed on the canal. He said that it has been decided to use LDA land for the implementation of government policy for the promotion of education. He said that schools will be set up with the cooperation of private sector over the land of LDA and quota will be fixed for the children of the parents earning a maximum of 20 thousand rupees per month and government servants of up to Grade 16. These children will be given admission in the schools on the basis of eligibility. He said that Water and Sanitation Company will take over the system of supply and drainage in Lahore within three years under a phased programme.