Panchayat objects to PUDA colony in Muktsar village

Says land was transferred for hospital, govt houses

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, February 18

The panchayat of Udekaran village near here has raised an objection to the residential colony being developed over 12 acres there by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA).

The panchayat has approached the district administration demanding that the construction work be stopped immediately. It said that the land was transferred to construct a hospital and government accommodation and not for setting up a residential colony for commercial purpose.

Gurlabh Singh, Akali Sarpanch of Udekaran village, said, “The gram panchayat had passed two resolutions — on March 20, 1990 and January 22, 1998 — to give 12 acre and 2 kanal land along the railway line for the construction of a hospital and accommodation of government officers.

“Though some flats were constructed, the hospital has not been built till date. Now, the land has been transferred to PUDA for making a residential colony there.

“Had the government hospital been built, it would have been beneficial for the villagers. The colony is being built without the consent of the panchayat.

“The gram panchayat has not been paid even a single penny for this prime land which now is worth crores. We demand that the construction be stopped immediately,” said Gurlabh, who along with some villagers, again met the Deputy Commissioner today.

Kulwant Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), Muktsar, who has been told to inquire into the matter, said, “An empowered committee of the state government had transferred the land to PUDA. We are investigating the matter.”

Courtesy: The Tribune