The Times of India  11.12.2010

CHANDIGARH: There is no immediate solution in sight for the financial woes of Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) as the Centre has reportedly rejected UT administration's demand for an additional budget allocation of Rs 300 crore for the pending projects, especially the slum rehabilitation programme in Chandigarh.

While no additional budget allocation is expected under the plan head, UT is expected to get around Rs 380 crore in the non-plan budget, which would be primarily utilized for giving grant-in-aids to Panjab University and other institutions. A formal communication on the issue, however, is expected to be received from the centre next week.

In a meeting with the working group of Planning Commission in New Delhi on July 29, UT had sought an additional budget for developmental works in the city. Under the plan head, Rs 450 crore were sought and an additional Rs 300 crore under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for the slum rehabilitation programme, which so far is being funded from the receipts of the Prideasia IT Habitat project.

The revised budget was formally presented for both plan and non-plan expenditures to the government of India in New Delhi on November 12. As part of the additional budget of over Rs 1,000 crore to be sought from the government, UT administration has asked for nearly Rs 158 crore for the pending projects of Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB).

In February, the city had got Rs 450 crore for plan and Rs 1,466 crore for its non-plan expenditures in 2010-2011, of which Rs 77.9 crore is being spent on construction of roads, flyovers and road safety. Under the revised estimate in 2009-10, UT got Rs 449 crore in plan and Rs 1,849 under non-plan budget.

There has been a substantial increase in the budget for science, technology and environment as it goes up to Rs 27 crore from Rs 13.9 crore last year. The expenditure on information technology alone has shot up from Rs 4.9 crore to Rs 8 crore. Besides, the spending on energy has also been hiked from Rs 11.7 crore to Rs 25 crore for this financial year in the plan budget estimate.

Indian Express  11.12.2010

Finally, Mohali’s Sector 69 may be freed of unauthorised slums

Squatters facing Sector 62 CBD to be allotted plots on December 21

Finally, after over a decade a ray of hope has arisen to free the posh Sector 69 in Mohali from the slums, which are not only an eyesore for the latest developed residential and commercial areas but also halting the widening of Sector 62-69 dividing road besides other allied development works in the area since 2000. The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) will allot plots to the squatters on prime land facing Central Business District (CBD), Sector 62, through draw of lots on December 21, a senior official told Newsline.

The plots will be allotted along Mataur village in Sector 71 in accordance with the rehabilitation scheme under which the allottees will be bound to vacate Sector 62 land within a maximum of three months. This will be the second major initiative of GMADA after clearing Sector 71 of the city’s oldest slum Jhota Kut Colony in September 2008.

Except for residential plots measuring 300 square yards, which were not yet feasible, the allotment of the remaining plots, measuring 50, 100 and 150 square yards, will be made to eligible claimants, disclosed an official. It was in the year 2000 when Lambian village was acquired for developing Sector 62 and 69 but since then most of the oustees had been illegally occupying chunks of prime land in Sector 69 for settling down.

Though a rehabilitation scheme was approved by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) in February 2001, it has not materialised so far due to discrepancies found in the claims of the oustees. Finally, in June 2008, GMADA decided in principle to approve the rehabilitation scheme for oustees.

According to the decision, 85 of the total of 102 claimants who were found eligible would be allotted plots at meagre rates in Sector 71 for vacating the commercial land under their illegal possession on the side of the Sector 68-69-70 main road opposite Sector 62.

Besides widening the main road dividing Sector 62 and 69, GMADA would commercially exploit the remaining vacated area in Sector 69, divulged the official.

According to the rehabilitation scheme, each original resident and landholder of Lambian would be allotted a plot in the area kept reserved and the entitlement of the plot would be related to the quantum of land possessed. However, the minimum size of residential plot to be allotted would be 2 marla, irrespective of the landholding.

The survey conducted by the PUDA Estate Officer in September 2000, according to which the allotments would be made, had stipulated 50-square yard plots against landholdings of up to 100 square yards, 100 square yards for 101-250 square yards, 150 square yards for 251-450 square yards, 250 square yards for 451-604 square yards, 300 square yards for 605-998 square yards, 400 square yards for 999-1,240 square yards and 500 square yards for 1,241 square yards and above.

The oustees would be charged Rs 1,000 per square yard up to 50 square yards and Rs 1,500 per square yards for plots above 50 square yards. While 25 per cent of the total amount would have to be paid initially based on which allotment letters were issued, the balance 75 per cent money would be payable in four equated yearly installments. The rate of interest to be charged would be 8 per cent per annum.

In case of small plots of the 2-marla category, the ground coverage would be increased to 80 per cent and FAR to 2. In case of commercial plots, one booth site of 8x12 feet would be allotted to each landowner having total land under commercial use at the rate of Rs 6,000 per square yard to be paid as per residential category terms and conditions.