Levy of developmental charges: ‘Allottees should not be penalised for CDA negligence’

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurances unanimously adopted the report of its sub-committee appointed to look into the levy of developmental charges on allottees in residential housing schemes of CDA without completion of the development work, has asked the CDA to hold a high level inquiry to ascertain the lapses and delays in the legal process with respect to the land acquired by the authority for new sectors.

The committee observed that allottees should not be penalised for the negligence of the CDA. The committee met under the chairpersonship of Nuzhat Sadiq here on Thursday.

The convener of the sub-committee apprised the committee that chairman CDA despite having prior intimation, had not attended the meeting which was a sheer disrespect to the parliamentary forum.

He further apprised that sub-committee had deliberated upon the issue and noted with grave concern that mostly sectors being developed by CDA were subject to litigation stretching over decades.

The committee also noted the legal inactivity on part of the CDA legal team. The committee therefore recommended a thorough inquiry to ascertain the lapses and delays in the legal process.

The committee disposed of the assurance on delay in operationalising of sewerage pipelines in Bani Gala, Islamabad on the satisfactory action taken by the ICT Administration.

The Committee was apprised that sewerage lines in Bani gala had been operationalise and PC-1 for include other areas of bani gala for bringing them into the sewerage waste disposal system had been submitted to the DDWP for approval.

The committee also disposed of the assurance given by minister of Communications regarding charging of exorbitant prices on food items by vendors on motorways on submission of documentary evidence by National Highways Authority (NHA) regarding action taken against the delinquent vendors.

The committee while discussing implementation status of assurance given by Minister for Information on floor of the House regarding payment of minimum salaries to employees under the ministry accepted its reply, however directed for ensuring payment of minimum salary to workers of services outsourced by organisations of the ministry.

The committee while discussing assurance given by Minister for Federal Education in a calling attention notice regarding non provision of laptops to students of Allama Iqbal Open University, the committee asked the ministry to create special provision to give laptops to students from erstwhile tribal areas under PM laptop scheme. The committee was apprised that distribution of laptops to the students from the AIOU has begun and 1800 laptops had been distributed. The committee accepting the reply of the ministry disposed of the assurance.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026