GHS members to 'skip' polls

PANCHKULA: Asked to deposit hefty enhancements by HUDA, around 4,000 families dwelling in 112 group housing societies at Sector 20 here have decided to boycott the general elections. Citing lack of initiative on part of political parties to cater to their needs, these residents have also threatened not to allow poll campaigning to take place in their area.
Recently, the estate office served notices to managements of these GHS, asking members to deposit payments of enhanced compensation awarded by sessions court to oustees whose land was acquired to built Sector 20. Under this move, these residents are reportedly liable to pay enhancement running approximately into Rs 1 lakh each.
Terming the notices a diktat, office-bearers of coordination committee comprising GHS members have accused officials of bias by virtue of keeping allottees of commercial sites out of enhancement purview.
������As many as 95% of those residing in these societies have either availed of loan facilities from banks or have invested in life-long savings to buy these flats. This is the third enhancement in a row over the past two years. At the same time, nothing has been charged from owners of commercial premises. Political parties have not shown any interest towards our cause. Hence, we have resorted to boycott polls,������ Tilak Raj Kataria, president of one such society and member of coordination committee said.
Chetna Cooperative Group Housing Society president Rajinder Verma, charged HUDA with indulging in loot-and-scoot policy. ������We���ve been approaching various parties. Surprisingly, they have chosen to keep mum, just like they have done in case of demolitions,������ he said.