(By: Zafar Chishti)

Faisalabad: The Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) has taken a stern decision to intensify its crackdown on the ‘file mafia’ involved in illegal activities concerning the sale of plots in housing schemes.In this regard, FDA Director General Muhammad Asif Chaudhry held a meeting with developers of private housing schemes and their representatives, delivering a clear and unequivocal message to strictly refrain from selling plot files without the actual land being available. The meeting was attended by Additional Director General FDA Qaiser Abbas Rind, Director Town Planning Asma Mohsin, Director IT Yasir Ejaz Chattha, and other officials. The FDA Director General made it clear to the developers that they are bound to provide the record of plot sales and purchases to the FDA under the Private Housing Schemes Rules Punjab 2021, and any negligence in its implementation will not be tolerated. Expressing deep concern, he stated that selling plots without available land and exceeding the approved area of a housing scheme is outright fraud and deception against the public and cases will be registered against those involved. The Director General also educated the developers on the relevant clauses of the Private Housing Schemes Rules 2021, the necessary requirements for scheme approval, guidelines, and marketing procedures. He stressed that the advertisement for any housing scheme must include the layout plan, plot details, utility sites, mortgaged land, and basic amenities alongside its promotion.
He emphatically instructed that a board displaying the approved area, layout plan, utility sites, and other necessary information must be installed at a prominent location within the housing scheme for public awareness. He further informed attendees that FDA’s field inspectors have been made more active in their respective areas and will conduct strict monitoring to ensure compliance with the laws. Inspectors found guilty of negligence or inattentiveness will face departmental action.The DG reiterated the commitment to protect the rights of citizens, urging developers to meet the requirements for housing scheme approval and sell only plots within the approved area. During the meeting, the DG FDA also answered various questions from the developers, clearing up misunderstandings, and stated that stringent measures are being taken to eliminate the illegal ‘file system’ for plots. He affirmed that the FDA, in line with the directives of the Punjab government and Divisional and District Administration, will ensure the success of the FDA’s policy in this regard.