Undue relaxation to allottees: CDA initiates inquiries against officials

Capital Development Authority (CDA) has initiated inquiries against the officials responsible for the restoration of a plot surrendered in 1998 and making excessive payment to the allottees of another plot. As per document available with Business Recorder, a plot with an area of 4,840 square yards was offered to 3 persons namely Manzoor Ellahi, Zareena Pervez and Shabnam Iftikhar in sector F-11, one of the posh sectors of Islamabad.
The plot was offered for Rs 40.656 million. However, as per allotment letter dated July 4, 1998, Rs 20.328 million was paid by the allotted party as an advance payment. Balance 50 percent worth Rs 20.3 million was to be deposited in four quarterly instalments at the rate of Rs 5 million till October 22, 1998.
Later on, allotted party failed to deposit balance payment and opt to surrender plot on July 26, 1999 and withdrew court case unconditionally. The amount deposited was refunded to the ex-allottees by the member administration CDA on August 13, 1999 on the advice of consultant law CDA. In 2008, the plot was restored mysteriously by the CDA after charging nominal amount of Rs 103 million while the price of the plot was over Rs 600 million as per the market rate, sources in the CDA said.
The matter was also discussed in the departmental accounts committee of the CDA on April 14, 2016 where an explanation was sought from the CDA board. The CDA on the direction of a sub committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) referred this matter to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as well.
In another case, the CDA is also accused of making Rs 2.1 million to an ex-allottee of a cancelled plot. As per detail in this matter, the civic agency offered the said plot to Mohammad Ali Asghar, Mohammad Shahid and three others in Rs 28.18 million. Bidder paid Rs 7 million initial amount and rest were supposed to be deposited in equal instalments. However, as per the documents, after the allottees defaulted to the remaining amount, they requested the CDA for withdrawal of their initial deposit. As per rule, the CDA is supposed to release the amount after making certain deduction amounting to Rs 2.1 million. The CDA initiated the inquiry to fix responsibility on the officials concerned. The inquiry committee also suggested penalty for the officers responsible of giving 'undue' relaxation to the ex-allottees.