The Sood Commission set up to probe Benami land deals in Himachal Pradesh has recommended scrapping of the HP Apartment and Property Regulation Act as builders were creating a concrete jungle and spoiling the natural forested environment. The one-man enquiry commission headed by former High Court Judge D P Sood asked the government to either implement section 118 of the Tenancy and Land Reforms Act in letter and spirit or repeal it.
In its 147-page report Commission observes that 95 per cent of the allottees in apartments were outsiders, Sood said, the demand of housing for Himachalis could easily be met by the Himachal Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA). The Act was meant to regulate colonies and property transactions, check haphazard constructions, registration of promoters, promotion of construction, sale, transfer and management of apartments on ownership basis and . But as majority of the builders are creating a concrete jungle and spoiling the natural forested environment, the Act should be immediately withdrawn and all construction activities and their control be handed over to the HIMUDA.
