KHARAR, June 5: The Punjab Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has issued show-cause notices to two private developers — GNE Developers and High Rise Estate — for selling plots without mandatory registration of their housing projects located in Bhago Majra and Radiala villages.
The notices question why penalty proceedings should not be initiated against the firms under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act for failing to register with the authority before advertising or selling the plots, as mandated by law.
The action follows a complaint filed with the Vigilance Bureau that accused the developers of acquiring multiple no-objection certificates (NOCs) from government officials for plots carved out of agricultural land, in violation of land-use norms.
According to the complaint, the developers evaded charges for change of land use and other regulatory fees while forming illegal colonies, allegedly in connivance with local government officials and revenue staff.
The complaint highlights that although the NOCs were dated prior to March 18, 2018 — the cutoff date under the Punjab Laws (Special Provisions for Regularisation of Unauthorized Colonies) Act, 2018 — the actual land transactions by the private developers reportedly occurred much later, some even in 2024.
Furthermore, it has been alleged that plots were being sold without seeking regularisation, raising concerns of deliberate misuse of documentation to bypass state regulations. The Vigilance Bureau is now probing the suspected nexus between officials and colonisers facilitating illegal development activities under the radar.
RERA is expected to take further action based on the replies received from the developers.
