Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, May 7: Setting at rest speculations as also allegations over the issue of irregular allotments of plots and flats under discretionary quota, the state government Thursday made it clear it will take stringent action against all those who illegally took multiple and plots, houses and flats.
Illegal allotments numbering 6,001 houses, flats and plots by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority, the Cuttack Development Authority and the Orissa State Housing Board would be scraped. Similarly, 1,791 allotments under discretionary quota including 803 by BDA, 921 by CDA and 67 by OSHB would be scrapped.
In a statement, government said that, in pursuance of a cabinet decision, the general administration department has, in consultation with the law department and advocate general, finalised modalities for implementation of recommendations of the taskforce on plot, house and flat allotments by three agencies –the BDA, CDA and OSHB. “It has been decided that stringent action would be taken against those who have availed multiple and fraudulent allotment of plots, houses and flats by furnishing false affidavits and other misleading information,” the statement said.
Curiously, however, the government handed over the power of cancellation to the same (three) agencies that had allotted these plots and flats. It also decided to give proper time to the allottees to present their cases. Action would be taken in due course after issuing show cause notices. “BDA, CDA and OSHB will take steps for cancellation of irregular allotments. But, before such cancellations, a show cause notice will be issued to each of the allottees,” it said.
“Notice of the show cause will specify the time within which reply is to be given by the respective allottees as per law. Necessary decisions for cancellation or resumption or otherwise will be taken after giving a due opportunity of hearing to the allottees,” the statement said.
It said General Administration (Vigilance) department would simultaneously initiate appropriate action with regard to multiple allotments and take steps as per relevant criminal law against those who have availed such facilities on the basis of false affidavits or misleading information. “Thus, the modalities are aimed at firm action while adhering to the principle of natural justice and the relevant provision of law,” the statement said.
Criticism however surfaced that, in doing so, the state government has forgotten about the illegal allotments of plots, flats and houses by the general administration (GA) department. The state government neither published the names of the persons who got the land and houses from the GA department, as was listed in the Task Force report, nor took any action against the beneficiaries, it was alleged.
It was following sharp criticism over illegal allotment of plots and flats that the state government constituted a task force headed by revenue secretary Taradatt. The panel submitted its report to the government suggesting cancellation of all multiple allotments under the quota.
Basing on the inquiry report of the task force, the state cabinet had, in last December, decided to cancel all houses and plots allotted under the Discretionary Quota (DQ) since Jan 1, 1995. It also decided to conduct a vigilance inquiry and initiate criminal proceedings against those who produced false affidavit to get plots and houses under discretionary quota meant for martyrs, sportspersons and distinguished personalities.