LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has notified revised/increased fees for property transfer and approval of drawings/maps besides fines on violations of building and land-use regulations.

The new rates have been notified following the approval of a proposal by the LDA governing body in a recent meeting.

“We have started implementing the new rates of various fees and penalties after approval and notification by the authorities concerned,” an official source told Dawn on Friday.

Under the revised/rationalised rates, the residential and commercial property transfer fee (including gift transfers in all LDA regulated housing schemes and localities) has been fixed as one percent of the DC (district collector rates) value of the property. Previously, Rs7,000 per marla (residential) plus Rs5 per sq ft on constructed structure and Rs14,000 (commercial) were being charged. Similarly, the transfer fee including gift transfers in the new LDA City Housing project, which was previously Rs7,000 per marla plus Rs5 per sq ft on constructed property, has been fixed as Rs10,000 per marla.

Revised rates, due for last eight years, needed for sustainability, says authority

The legal heirs transfer fee in all the schemes, which was free previously, has been fixed as 25pc of the applicable transfer fees. The other revised fees/fines include placement of document fee (earlier Rs500 per marla) has been turned into 0.25pc of the DC value of the property, copying fee that was Rs200 per page would be Rs1,000 per page now, permission to mortgage fee that was earlier Rs500 per marla plus Rs5 per sq ft on constructed area would now be 0.25pc of the DC value of property, no objection certificate (NOC) earlier Rs500 per marla would now be 0.25pc of the DC value of the property per annum, publication of general power attorney that was Rs1,000 per marla had now been raised to Rs2,000 per marla and possession and file checking fees which were free earlier would not cost Rs0.25pc of the DC value of property and Rs10,000, respectively.

Regarding building plan approval, the rates, which were previously Rs5 per sq ft and Rs15 per sq ft (residential and commercial), have now been increased to Rs15 and Rs40 per sq ft, respectively. Similarly, several other fees and fines, including plan copying, site visit, sub-division of plots, amalgamation, debris charges, extra height charges, completion certificate penalties, late fee etc have also been notified to have an increase from 100 to 400pc or so.

It may be mentioned that the LDA, in its proposal, had explained that the rates of fees, fines and penalties were not revised for the last eight years whereas the other government departments such as excise and taxation, and the city district government were collecting taxes/charges as per present value of the properties, increased on an annual basis. It argued that the operational/non-development expenses of the LDA increased manifold owing to the inflation over a period of around eight years, especially after the Covid-19 during the last two financial years.

The authority, being a self-sustainable organisation, the proposal said, needed revision of rates of fees, fines and penalties to maintain its sustainability.

It stated that the revised rates would help the authority generate the revenue for bearing 50pc cost for development of infrastructure of the LDA City Housing Scheme as the surplus funds would be used for the development of infrastructure of Lahore.

On the other hand, the public at large has criticised the government for allowing the LDA to increase fees without having a survey.

“The government should have seen any logical survey that could prove the LDA’s logic in increasing fees unrealistically,” said a person who did not want to be named. He said the people, already overburdened financially due to inflation, should have been given relief rather than being crushed. He urged the government to withdraw the new rates or at least reduce them.

Meanwhile, LDA Director General Aamir Ahmad Khan visited One Window Cell and Sports Complex. On this occasion, DG LDA said that the work of overseas Pakistanis should be completed on a fast track. He said separate seats/lounges should be arranged for women and senior citizens at the cell. He declared that delaying tactics in solving problems of the citizens would not be tolerated at all.

OPERTION: The LDA Town Planning Zone-II carried out an operation in Sabzazar Scheme and Allama Iqbal Town and demolished and sealed many illegal constructions. The operation was supervised by Chief Town Planner, Shakeel Anjum Minhas and Director Town Planning Salman Mahfouz. The LDA staff demolished illegal constructions containing two commercial shops at the Kharak Naala bus stop. Illegal commercial construction of shops in Sabzazar and various blocks of Allama Iqbal Town was demolished.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2022