1.7m dwellers get properties for Rs172/marla

[Salman]

LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the provincial government has awarded proprietary rights to over 1.7 million dwellers of 3,460 slums.

During a meeting on regarding the pace of awarding proprietary rights to the residents of Katchi Abadis in the province, the CM said that over the last 27 years only 825 slums were notified while the present government had notified 3460 Katchi Abadis in a short period and awarded proprietary rights to their dwellers. He said that it was first time in the history of the province that proprietary rights had been awarded under joint partnership to husband and wife in Katchi Abadis and they had been made equal partners in property

The CM said a total of 180725 Kanal land has been given to residents of Katchi Abadis on ownership basis. He said that no fee had been charged from widows or orphans while a fee of Rs172 per Marla had been charged from others. He said that it is for the first time that Punjab government has awarded proprietary rights to the residents of Katchi Abadis in urban as well as rural areas. He said that Punjab government of PML-N had always taken solid measures for the betterment of backward and low-income segment of the society and awarding of ownership rights to the residents of Katchi Abadis is a part of this policy. The CM also issued instructions for setting up a committee for the immediate disposal of the pending cases which would present its report within two days after making a case to case review. The CM while acknowledging the efficiency of the staff of Directorate General Katchi Abadis announced two months’ basic pay for them as honorarium. The CM also appreciated the performance of Senior Member Board of Revenue, Sami Saeed, Member Colonies Khawaja Shamail, Director General Katchi Abadis and staff of the department and said that the officers have set a noble example of dutifulness by working round the clock for this project of public welfare.