Former Haryana CM Hooda alleges BJP of ruining HSVP

Rohtak/Chandigarh, August 1, 2026:  Former Haryana Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda stated that while the BJP changed the name of HUDA to Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran  (HSVP) after coming to power, it paid no attention to the development of these areas.

Commenting on the dilapidated state of sectors falling under the HSVP, Hooda said true development stems from a change in intent, not merely a change in name.

Former CM Hooda remarked that the process of handing over 50% of developed sectors—located in 10 cities including Panchkula, Ambala, Karnal, Kurukshetra, and Rohtak—to Urban Local Bodies could not be completed within the stipulated time frame due to the government's lack of genuine intent.

“The responsibility for the maintenance and civic amenities of these sectors was supposed to be transferred to the local bodies by May 31, yet this has not happened even two months later. This delay persists because essential works, such as drinking water supply, sewerage systems, and the construction of parks and roads, have been stalled for years. Furthermore, both HSVP and the local bodies are facing a severe shortage of staff; instead of making regular appointments, the government is advocating for hiring employees through the Kaushal Nigam (Skill Corporation) and on a contractual basis,” he said.

Hooda stated that development work in the sectors has come to a complete standstill since the BJP assumed power. Replacing the lottery system for plot allocation with an auction system certainly drove up land prices manifold, but it resulted in a drastic reduction in amenities for the residents, he said.

“The HUDA department was originally established to provide affordable residential plots in cities for the middle and lower-middle classes. Its objective was to ensure planned urban development and curb the proliferation of illegal colonies,” he said.

“However, ever since the BJP introduced the auction system for plots, sector rates have moved beyond the reach of the common man, and the state has witnessed the unchecked construction of illegal colonies. This is because the government has driven up rates in existing sectors to astronomical levels while failing to acquire any new land for new sectors,” he added.

“Now, on one hand, the public is being fleeced by the government in the name of these sectors, and on the other, they are being exploited by the land mafia through illegal and private colonies,” he pointed out.

Former Haryana CM also raised objections to the new property tax regulations. He stated that under the new rules, people would have to pay up to five times more tax because the levy will now be linked to the collector rate; consequently, as collector rates rise, the property tax will increase proportionately. Furthermore, each floor of a building will be assessed separately, further inflating the tax liability. He said this imposes an additional, arbitrary burden on a public already grappling with inflation, and will cause the condition of the middle class to deteriorate further.

Bhupinder Singh Hooda demanded changes to the new property tax rules alongside a call for the development and expansion of civic amenities in the sectors. He urged the government to stop picking the public's pockets and instead focus on providing them with proper facilities.