LDA recovery of dues improves by 300pc

LAHORE: Commissioner and DG LDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa reviewed the performance of LDA’s Town Planning and CMP wings here on Wednesday. It was informed that in the first three months of this financial year, there has been a 300 percent increase in recovery compared to the same duration of previous financial year. A sum of Rs3 billion was collected in the first quarter of this year as compared to Rs700 million in the same time period of the last fiscal year. There has been a substantial improvement in efficiency of Town planning after appointment of two Chief Town Planners, Muhammad Ali Randhawa said and assigned tasks to both departments for further improvement in service delivery. Commissioner directed for simplifying the SOPs for approval of building plans and directed that for the convenience of the citizens, the prototype maps of three, five, 10-marla and Kanal plots should be made available for the citizens.

In the meeting, he ordered immediate blacklisting of agents and mafia involved in approval of maps. He directed setting up a counter of Department of Environment to facilitate approval of NOC at LDA One Window. He reviewed the individual performance of all town planning officers. He enquired about recovery, actions and field visits conducted from all directors.

He directed that the officers should remain active in the field, action means taking corrective measures. Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that the performance of officers of Town Planning and CMP Wing will be reviewed regularly.

Illegal constructions razed, sealed

On the directions of Commissioner Lahore and DG LDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa, LDA teams sealed and demolished several illegal constructions/commercial properties and removed the signboards.

During the operation conducted on Wednesday, LDA teams demolished a building for violation of plan and illegal chicken shops in Pine Avenue and Ameerpura. Plot number 26, 31, 51, 49 and 50 in Lahore Avenue were sealed for illegal commercial use. Signboards were removed for illegal commercial use of plot number 12-13.

The property was sealed by removing the signboard from Plot No 14. The team sealed Filter House at plot No 9 in Lahore Avenue and removed signboards. Illegal construction of shops in Johar Town was also demolished. The operation was conducted by Director Town Planning IV under the supervision of Chief Town Planner Two Azhar Ali.

Moreover, during the ongoing operation against defaulters of commercialisation fee, the staff of Director Town Planning Zone II took action in Sabzazar and sealed more than 15 properties. Notices were issued several times to them.