IMPROVEMENT TRUST, ROPAR Vs. SHASHI BALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Improvement Trust, Ropar [hereinafter, 'the Trust'], is in appeal against the directions of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh, to allot a plot under discretionary quota to Shashi Bala, a social worker. By order dtd. 13/5/2008, this Court granted stay and the same was made absolute on 10/8/2009.

(2.) Heard Shri Birendra Kumar Mishra, learned counsel, appearing for the Trust; and Shri P.S. Patwalia, learned senior counsel, appearing for Shashi Bala.

(3.) Facts, to the extent relevant, unfold thus: Shashi Bala, a social worker, applied to the Chief Minister of Punjab for allotment of a plot of 500 square yards under his discretionary quota on 28/1/1987. Acting thereupon, by letter dtd. 11/2/1987, the Government of Punjab approved allotment of a residential plot of 500 square yards in Development Scheme Giani Zail Singh Nagar of Improvement Trust, Ropar, to Shashi Bala out of the Government's discretionary quota under Rule 4 of the Punjab Town Improvement (Utilization of Land and Allotment of Plots) Rules, 1983 [for brevity 'the Rules of 1983'], at double the reserve price on usual terms and conditions. This allotment was subject to furnishing of an affidavit by Shashi Bala, as provided in the Rules, along with her Social Welfare Certificate. Upon exchange of correspondence between Shashi Bala and the Trust, Memo dtd. 4/7/1988 was issued by the Trust calling upon her to submit her duly attested affidavit, as per the enclosed proforma. The Trust stated that upon submission thereof, further action would be taken for allotment of a plot.