Accommodations at Purba Premium Apartments to ease housing crunch for IAS, IPS, and PPS officers in MohaliIn a significant step toward improving housing facilities for government officers, the Punjab Government has officially taken possession of 167 residential flats in the Purba Premium Apartments, located in Sector 88, Mohali. These flats will be allocated to IAS, IPS, PPS, and other administrative officers posted in the Mohali district.
Flats Divided by Officer Rank
The 167 flats are categorized into three types based on size and amenities, and they will be allotted according to the officer’s seniority and service category:
- Type-1: For mid-level officers
- Type-2: For senior officers
- Type-3: For top-ranking officials (likely IAS/IPS cadre)
Allottees will be required to pay monthly rent, making this an official accommodation facility, not free housing.
100.48 Crore Project: 61.63 Crore Still Pending
The total cost of the housing acquisition is estimated at 100.48 crore, which includes:
- 2% Cancer Cess (a state-level health tax)
- 2% Purba Premium Apartment Corpus Fund (likely for long-term maintenance)
So far, the Punjab Government has paid 38.85 crore to GMADA (Greater Mohali Area Development Authority), which owns the property. The remaining 61.63 crore is to be cleared:
- Either in full within 60 days, or
- In eight half-yearly installments (spread over 4 years) at 9.5% annual interest
Why This Move Matters
According to officials, the lack of government accommodations in rapidly growing urban areas like Mohali has led to frequent complaints and logistical issues for transferred or newly posted officers.
Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain, during her visit to the site on Wednesday, saidthe possession was taken after approval from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on August 29, 2023.
She emphasized that this decision fulfills a long-standing demand from the officer community for secure, decent, and well-located housing in the district.
Site Inspection to Ensure Quality
Jain, accompanied by officials from the Public Works Department (PWD), conducted a thorough inspection of the flats to ensure infrastructure readiness, including Structural quality, Water and power supply, Sewage and drainage systems, Security arrangements, Lift operations and fire safety compliance etc. They confirmed that the flats are ready for occupation and meet the expected standards of government accommodations.
Why Purba Premium Apartments?
Purba Premium Apartments in Sector 88 were selected for several reasons -Proximity to government offices in Mohali and Chandigarh, Modern infrastructure and urban planning, Well-connected by road networks (including the airport road),Presence of essential services nearby schools, hospitals, markets.
The apartments are part of GMADA’s premium housing scheme and were originally constructed for middle to upper-income residents but are now being repurposed for government housing, aligning with Punjab's push to utilize existing infrastructure efficiently.
Looking Ahead: A Model for Future Government Housing
This initiative could become a template for future public housing projects for government employees. Instead of building new structures, the state can leverage existing urban housing projects to meet accommodation demands swiftly and cost-effectively, with Mohali growing as an administrative and IT hub, such moves are not just necessary they're long overdue
