ISLAMABAD, July 15: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has amended its land disposal policy to allot agricultural plots to the villagers of sectors D-12, E-12 and I-15.

According to a document, the Authority has relaxed the ban on provision of agricultural plots to those, whose land was acquired by the CDA for developing these three sectors.

Earlier, the CDA had announced that the land affected people, who had applied within three years of date of award (compensation) could be offered agricultural plots. However, this restriction has also been relaxed.

The landholders of the three sectors had said that they had applied within three years of announcement of the award, but their files were missing from CDA record.

They have reportedly demanded the allotment of agricultural plots in place of their land acquired by the Authority but their demand was turned down many a times in the past.

Meanwhile, a source in the CDA said the interior ministry had also directed the Authority to immediately start development of sector D-12.

The source said PC-I of the project amounting to Rs788 million was approved by the CDA board in 1988 but due to several reasons, the project could not be launched. Now, its estimated cost has escalated by Rs3.2 billion. However, recently the Executive Committee of National Economic Council has slashed down its cost by Rs2 billion.

The government has allocated Rs120 million for the development of the sector in the current fiscal.

According to the PC-I, some 3,445 residential plots would be carved out, including 725 plots for the construction of flats.

Some 870 plots will be auctioned and the money, generated through auction, would be utilized for the development of the sector.

An official of the CDA was of the view that the revised cost was not sufficient to meet the development expenditure.

He said the entire project would be completed within the stipulated time of three years.