Punjab Chief Information Commissioner Orders Survey of Illegal Colonies in Ludhiana
The Punjab State Chief Information Commissioner, Inderpal Singh, has directed authorities to conduct a comprehensive survey of unauthorised colonies in Ludhiana. The decision comes after the failure of the state government to perform such assessments for the past seven years. This directive was issued while disposing of a case filed by a Ludhiana resident under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, which exposed significant gaps in the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority’s (GLADA) records on illegal colonies.
The case was initiated by a resident of Ludhiana who sought specific information regarding unauthorised colonies in the district. The request, filed under the RTI Act, aimed to gather crucial details about illegal residential, industrial, and commercial colonies in the area, as well as information on industrial units operating without the necessary approvals from GLADA. However, the response from GLADA was deemed inadequate, as the authority merely referred the resident to its website instead of providing a detailed list of illegal colonies, particularly in the Bhamia Kalan village. The appellant argued that simply directing him to the website was impractical, especially for an ordinary citizen who would struggle to navigate through extensive data to find relevant information. He also pointed out that the information regarding the extent of unauthorised colonies and the status of industrial units operating without No Objection Certificates (NOCs) or Change of Land Use (CLU) approvals was not readily available.
During the hearing, GLADA’s representative claimed that the information sought by the appellant was already available online and that the department had conducted a survey in 2018, which was the only official data on unauthorised colonies. The representative asserted that no additional records existed and urged the commission to close the case, as the information had already been made public in compliance with Section 4 of the RTI Act. However, the Commission expressed concerns about this response. While acknowledging that a survey had been conducted in 2018, the Chief Information Commissioner highlighted that no follow-up assessments had been carried out since then. The commission pointed out that the RTI application revealed the presence of illegal industrial colonies in Bhamian Kalan, Ludhiana East, which could potentially be housing industries operating without proper approvals.
In light of these concerns, the Commission directed the Principal Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban and Chief Administrator of GLADA, Ludhiana, to take immediate action to conduct a survey of illegal residential, industrial, and commercial colonies in Ludhiana district. The objective is to prevent further financial losses to the state exchequer and ensure that the development of these areas is carried out in a regulated and transparent manner. The survey is expected to provide accurate and up-to-date information on the extent of unauthorised colonies, enabling authorities to take necessary steps to regularise these areas or take corrective actions as required. The Commission emphasised that transparency and accountability are fundamental principles of the RTI Act, and it is essential that the authorities adhere to these principles in their operations. The lack of proper assessments and transparency regarding unauthorised colonies has serious financial implications for the state, as these colonies often lack the necessary infrastructure, legal approvals, and basic services. The financial losses arise from the non-collection of development charges, lack of taxes, and the costs involved in regularising these colonies or demolishing illegal constructions.
This move by the Punjab Chief Information Commissioner is seen as a significant step towards addressing these issues, ensuring that the development of Ludhiana is carried out in a manner that is legally compliant, financially sustainable, and in the best interests of its residents. The Punjab Chief Information Commissioner’s directive marks a crucial moment in the effort to address the growing problem of unauthorised colonies in Ludhiana. With the survey now ordered, the authorities are expected to take decisive steps to ensure that these colonies are properly regulated, thereby safeguarding the state’s financial interests and improving transparency in urban development. As the survey progresses, residents of Ludhiana can expect greater accountability from local authorities, ensuring that illegal developments are promptly addressed and the city’s growth remains orderly and lawful.
