The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has introduced a revised policy aimed at easing financial pressure on property owners facing penalties related to access area adjustments in housing schemes.
Under the updated framework, all penalties will now be calculated on the basis of the property rates applicable at the time of the original plot allotment, instead of the prevailing District Collector (DC) rates. Officials say the change is intended to make the system more transparent and reduce unexpected financial burdens on citizens.
The decision follows a series of internal review sessions led by LDA Director General Tahir Farooq and the Additional Director General (Housing), during which a new policy structure was finalised.
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Previously, property owners seeking No Objection Certificates (NOCs) or transfer approvals were required to pay penalties that were assessed using current market-linked DC rates. This approach often resulted in significantly higher charges, particularly in cases involving adjustments to access areas.
Citizens had repeatedly raised concerns that they were being subjected to excessive fees during transfer and approval processes, even in situations where they were not directly responsible for the discrepancies in land measurements.
Under the revised policy, any increase or decrease in access area will now be assessed using historical rates from the year the plot was originally allotted. Officials believe this adjustment will bring greater fairness to the valuation process and reduce disputes between applicants and the authority.
The policy has been formally approved by the LDA Governing Body, and implementation instructions have been circulated through official minutes to ensure immediate enforcement.
