LDA to seek govt help against encroachments

LAHORE, April 5: After failure in retrieving scores of properties from land grabbers/occupants on its own, the Lahore Development Authority has decided to seek Punjab government’s help for this purpose.

Officials told Dawn on Thursday there had been scores of residential and commercial plots being possessed unlawfully by influential people in various LDA housing schemes for long and officials couldn’t retrieve these properties either because of litigation, land disputes or influence of the occupants.

“There are many cases where LDA owned plots have been encroached upon by people, especially influential ones, for the last many years. A number of encroachers have constructed houses on the plots at housing schemes, including Sabzazar Scheme (near Scheme Mor),” LDA director (estate management) Nauman Khan told this reporter.

He said in Sabzazar Scheme alone people had built houses on 42 plots reserved for widows despite the fact that they had no ownership documents. Now these occupants have assured the LDA that they will pay market price of the plots, Khan said. He said there were some plots in L and M blocks of the scheme, where LDA couldn’t proceed against the occupants due to litigation.

The official said he had asked field inspectors to pay visits to all LDA residential schemes and compile a scheme-wise report on
allotment of plots, land owners’ share of developed plots, litigation/disputes and influential people occupying plots.

Also, LDA Director General Ahad Khan Cheema has sought a report on encroachments on LDA plots within three days.

“The matter will be taken up with the Punjab government keeping in view the nature of encroachments and people involved,” Cheema said at meeting, which reviewed functions and responsibilities of LDA’s Housing Wing here on Thursday.

LDA director (estate management) Nauman Khan said he would receive field reports from officials by next week.