MOHALI: The decision to reduce enhancement charges for residential plots in Sectors 76 to 80 has been facing implementation delay due to political discord.
The anti-enhancement committee claims Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada) had agreed to reduce the enhancement charges by Rs 824 per square metre, but proceedings halted after Congress-backed residents filed a petition in the high court. Two opposing groups, supported by AAP and Congress respectively, are in conflict over the matter.
Additional compensation known as enhancement charges is paid to landowners during land acquisition. When Gmada allocated these plots, they secured an undertaking from the recipients to pay any future enhancement charges as determined by the authority.
At a press conference on Thursday, anti-enhancement committee member and councillor Sukhdev Singh Patwari, alongside councillor Sarabjit Singh Samana and committee members Rajeev Vishisht, Jarnail Singh, Sukhchain Singh, Charanjit Kaur, and Major Singh, discussed a Gmada letter indicating potential reduction in charges for Sectors 76-80 allottees. A decision made on Oct 15 2024 to reduce costs by Rs 824 per square metre was postponed due to legal proceedings, they claimed.
Patwari said, “For the past two years, the anti-enhancement committee of Sectors 76-80 in Mohali has been struggling to make Gmada reduce enhancement charges. But when there is some hope in this regard, a group residents backed by Congress filed a petition in the high court seeking relief. So, due to the petition, Gmada has delayed the relief, saying that first, let the high court make its decision.”
The committee leadership reported that following seven meetings with senior officials, including the chief minister and Gmada representatives, an agreement was reached for an Rs 824 per square metre reduction. Gmada also consented to withdraw the Rs 2 lakh per residence penalty.
The agreement reached on Oct 15, 2024, faced delays in governmental approval after certain individuals from sectors 76-80 filed a case against Gmada on Oct 23, 2024.
GMADA informed the Anti-Enhancement Committee via letter about forwarding the increased cost reconsideration to the government. On Jan 8, 2025, GMADA sent another letter to committee convener Sukhdev Singh Patwari, confirming the case’s submission for governmental review.
