HUDA corrects fault, to give back land of houses in Chowki

Rectifying its mistake, the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has decided to release land under houses in Chowki village. When land was acquired for setting up Sector 32 of Panchkula, almost the entire village’s land was taken and even houses were not spared.

It happened due to a faulty survey a decade ago. Now, 8.57 acres under houses would be released, the only hurdle being the state government’s formal nod.

HUDA administrator Sharandeep Brar said, “We have sent the case for releasing the land under village houses to chief administrator of HUDA. Generally, we do not acquire land under houses.”

Gram panchayat of Chowki had made a representation to chief minister Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda for release of their houses. The CM had asked for examining the issue. Under Brar, a team of officials visited the spot and it was decided to conduct a survey and provide relief to the villagers.

The award for 224.28 acres of land was announced on July 30, 2003, and only 0.26-acre land was left out of the acquisition ambit.

There are a number of court cases pertaining to acquisition of land in this area. The Punjab and Haryana high court has ordered that certain inhabitants be displaced only if they are offered alternative plots and in some cases there are orders of dispossession.

As per the recommendations, an undertaking shall be required from all the beneficiaries that they shall not go for further litigation and if they are involved in any pending litigation then they shall withdraw the cases.