Former Punjab health minister and senior Congress leader Balbir Singh Sidhu has launched a fierce attack on the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). He condemned the authority's recent move to issue fresh notices to residential plot allottees in Sectors 76 to 80, demanding a significant additional payment.
What is the GMADA Notice About?
The controversy centers on a demand for an enhanced cost of Rs 3,164 per square metre. Sidhu, in a statement on Thursday, labeled this demand as completely "arbitrary, unjustified and baseless." He warned that this action has sparked intense anger and widespread resentment among the plot holders who feel they are being unfairly targeted.
Sidhu provided a detailed historical context to underscore the injustice. He revealed that these plots were originally allotted way back in the year 2000. At that time, the allotment rate was between Rs 3,300 and Rs 3,350 per square yard. According to the original schedule, the possession of these plots was supposed to be granted in 2002.
A Decade of Delay and Now a Fresh Demand
However, the allottees faced an agonizing wait. Due to various lapses on the part of GMADA and subsequent litigation, the possession was severely delayed. Plot holders finally received their plots between 2013 and 2019, a delay of over a decade from the promised date.
Now, in 2023, GMADA has issued notices to recover the enhanced price along with interest. Sidhu pointed out that the authority is citing a 2013 Supreme Court judgment to justify this recovery. He strongly contested this, arguing that the allottees cannot be penalized for delays that were not their fault.
"This recovery cannot be justified. Allottees are being penalised for no fault of theirs," Sidhu asserted. He emphasized that buyers have already suffered massive financial losses due to the extreme delay and the skyrocketing cost of construction over the years.
Accusations of False Promises and a Clear Demand
The Congress leader also took aim at local MLA Kulwant Singh. He accused the MLA of misleading residents by claiming that the enhanced amount had been reduced by Rs 839 per square metre. Sidhu dismissed promises of Cabinet approval for concessions as nothing but a "false consolation" for the affected families.
He brought attention to the unambiguous language of the notices themselves. "The notices clearly mention recovery of Rs 3,164 per sq m in plain Punjabi. There is no ambiguity," Sidhu stated firmly. Based on these arguments, the former minister has made a direct and unequivocal demand: the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all such notices issued by GMADA.
The issue highlights ongoing tensions between development authorities and citizens in Punjab's real estate sector, where delays and subsequent financial demands have often been a point of contention.
