Residents and allottees of sectors 76 to 80 in Mohali are poised for significant financial relief as the Punjab government moves to drastically reduce the pending enhancement charges levied by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada).
Government Steps In After Public Outcry
The push for relief comes after Gmada issued notices to allottees demanding payment at the rate of Rs 3,164 per square metre. This move sparked immediate and strong resentment among the residents, who found the charges to be a steep financial burden.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Dr Sunny Singh Ahluwalia, who also serves as the chairman of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, confirmed the development on Wednesday. He stated that the state government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is actively working to address the issue as part of its commitment to public welfare.
Substantial Reduction in Charges Announced
Dr Ahluwalia, the AAP's state general secretary, revealed that after taking note of the residents' concerns, he held several meetings with senior officials to find a viable solution. The outcome of these discussions is a proposal to slash the enhancement charges.
The new proposed rate is Rs 839 per square metre, a reduction of nearly 75% from the originally demanded amount. This substantial cut is expected to ease the financial pressure on thousands of allottees in the affected sectors.
"Once approval is granted by the competent authorities, this decision will provide major relief to residents of these sectors," Dr Ahluwalia stated, expressing confidence in the approval process.
Blame Placed on Previous Governments' Inaction
The AAP leader attributed the current high charges to the inaction of previous ruling governments. He alleged that for political reasons, these administrations delayed the issuance of the enhancement notices.
This prolonged delay, spanning from 2008 to 2025, ultimately resulted in a sharp accumulation and increase in the payable charges, leaving the current allottees to face a much larger bill. The present government's intervention is framed as a corrective measure to resolve this legacy issue.
The move is seen as a significant step by the AAP-led Punjab government to fulfill its pro-people agenda and address long-pending civic and financial concerns affecting residents in developing urban areas like Mohali.
