Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) is trying these days to make its contribution to the Faisalabad beautification campaign by removing unsightly tangled wires and electric poles that hinder smooth flow of traffic. During the course of the activity, Fesco discovered that in scores of housing colonies real estate developers had sold plots and houses to people without providing them with gas and electricity.
This has been happening despite the fact that development charges are included in the price of every plot in a new housing scheme. Instead of putting in their own equity to fulfil their obligations, dishonest developers make off with other people's money.
The situation, of course, is not peculiar to Faisalabad. Same has been going on in other cities as well in private housing schemes, especially those meant for lower income groups. Unscrupulous elements have been hoodwinking unsuspecting individuals. Many of them are people who invested their life's savings in a residential plot to fulfil the dream of owning a home, but ended up getting a raw deal. So far as the affected people in Faisalabad are concerned, Fesco is willing to help. A joint meeting of Fesco and district officials decided to address the issue, directing the concerned officials to furnish a report so as to devise a plan to provide power supply to residents of the affected colonies. Authorities in other cities also need to take notice, and put a stop to the malpractice.
As it is, all city development authorities have their by-laws under which housing societies are supposed to fulfil basic requirements, including provision of utilities. Yet people are allowed to advertise new housing schemes without obtaining necessary approval for laying water, gas and electricity supply lines. By the time buyers come to know of the actual status, it is too late. It is important therefore that some measure is introduced to ensure transparency. One obvious step in that directions would be for all city development authorities to maintain their respective websites where those interested in buying a plot in a particular housing scheme can easily find out whether or not approval for utilities connections have been obtained. Buying and selling private property, needless to say, is a business matter between two or more parties. However, as far as possible, concerned government departments must ensure that rules are observed and public interest is protected.
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