LUDHIANA: The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) is facing renewed scrutiny over its flagship Atal Apartment Scheme. As it begins issuing forms for the draw of pending high-income group (HIG) and medium-income group (MIG) flats, many prospective applicants have raised significant concerns about the department’s transparency and procedural readiness.
The main issue revolves around the absence of project brochures. Applicants have claimed that the LIT is charging Rs 500 for each application form, yet these forms are being distributed without the necessary brochures. These brochures are essential for outlining the project’s official terms and specifications, leaving many applicants confused and “applying blindly” due to lack of information.
One complainant, Arvind Sharma, pointed out an administrative inefficiency, saying that applicants who sought the brochure were told to call the LIT office and return later. However, officials could not ensure that the brochures would be available upon their return, leading to accusations of public harassment. Residents are insisting that detailed project information should be available at the point of sale.
The history of the Atal Apartment project has been marked by setbacks, and skeptics argue that the rush to sell application forms without finalized documentation indicates a lack of thoroughness. Concerned citizens stress that a brochure is not just a promotional item, but a legal safeguard for buyers.
Responding to the criticism, Tarsem Bhinder, chairman of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust, acknowledged the current unavailability of brochures. He assured that the documents are being processed and will be accessible to all applicants by Monday.
