ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is in a fix over developing the stalled sectors as it has failed to clear compensation claims made by the local people in many of the acquired sectors.

Among the stalled sectors is E-12 whose allotees have been waiting for their developed plots for over three decades as the civic agency still does not have taken possession of the land.

The CDA had received full cost of the plots along with the development and additional charges from the allotees in 1989. But the allotees have not been given their plots so far.

Around a dozen residential sectors have been stalled for years, including parts of I-11, I-12, I-15, Park Enclave II and the Kuri Model Village.

No serious steps taken to resolve issues causing delays to development of I-11, I-12, I-15, Park Enclave II and Kuri Model Village

But no serious effort has been made by the civic agency to resolve the matter. There is also a need for the development of other sectors such as F-12 and G-12.

When the PTI was in the opposition, the then MNA Asad Umar from Islamabad, who is now the finance minister, had said on several occasions that after coming to power his party would resolve the issues of the affected people of the sectors.

The affected people are the ones whose land had been acquired by the CDA for the development of the sectors and who were entitled to get alternative plots from the civic agency.

Now, the local people are looking towards the finance minister to resolve the issue.

Officials in the CDA told Dawn that in most of the stalled sectors there were issues regarding award against the built-up property (BuP).

In many cases, the CDA announced land and the BuP award separately but did not get the possession of the land that created the problems.

The officials said the CDA first announced a land award and gave compensation to the locals against their land but then held the compensation against the BuP.

And at a later stage when the civic agency attempted to give the BuP benefit i.e alternative plots, the list of locals seeking compensation went up. But the CDA could not give plots against the first list.

“Since we failed to get possession of E-12, hundreds of people such as grandchildren of the first owners are now asking for alternative plots against their BuP. But we can’t entertain them and they are not ready to leave the area,” said an official of the CDA, who requested not to be named.

He said not announcing land and the BuP award and getting possession of the land at the initial stage was a blunder made by the CDA.

“Now we have only two options that we will put before the federal government. We can go all out against the encroachers on our planned sectors or go for an amendment to our rules to make package deals for the affected people,” said the official.

When contacted, Member Estate Khushal Khan said efforts were being made to resolve the pending issues of BuP awards of E-12, Kuri and other stalled sectors.

“We are trying to resolve all these complex issues which are lying pending for years,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2018