FAISALABAD, June 14: The tug of war between the Tehsil Municipal Administrations and the Executive District Officer (revenue) over the issue of 'no objection certificate' to the developers of private housing colonies took a new turn when the Faisalabad Development Authority director general jumped into the controversy claiming that it was his agency to deal and decide the fate of private housing colonies.

FDA director general Raja Safdar Husain, in a letter, made it clear to the EDO (revenue), the DCO, Nazims of City, Saddar, Jaranwala and Chak Jhumra tehsils claiming that the FDA was set up under the Punjab Development of Cities Act, 1976, which barred all other agencies to entertain and proceed on any new housing scheme in its limits.

He said Section 12(5) of the Punjab Development of Cities (Amendments) Ordinance, 2002, also barred private persons and agencies to develop a housing scheme without the consent of FDA.

He claimed that under the provision of the law, the site development housing, commercial or industrial schemes could be approved by the TMAs concerned but with the prior clearance and NOC from the FDA. Prior NOC from Wasa was more essential as maintenance of water and sanitation was the exclusive responsibility of the agency.

It may be recalled that the EDO (revenue) had issued a letter to all the six TMAs for not issuing NOCs to the developers of private housing colonies without the formal and prior permission of the revenue authorities.

However, the TMA officials refused to accept the instructions of the revenue officials adding that the issuance of NOC was one of their functions under the law.

The district Nazim, who is supposed to resolve such controversy, is playing the role of a silent spectator and the TMAs and FDA are issuing NOCs to the developers of private housing colonies.