Commercial plots' auction: Prime Minister for elimination of CDA officials discretionary powers

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) was under immense fire in the previous cabinet meeting for not properly auctioning commercial plots. Reliable sources in the Interior Ministry told Business Recorder that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz personally expressed displeasure over the performance of the authority's officials, who were involved in auctioning of commercial plots.
"Cosmetic improvement and beautification of some roads here and there should not be the only function of the CDA and the authority has to improve a lot, particularly its procedures for auction of commercial plots," sources quoted the prime minister as saying.
The premier also directed Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao to take back discretionary powers of the CDA officials immediately.
It is not the first time when Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz strongly criticised the CDA's top brass for involving in corruption and using bylaws for their own interest.
Two months earlier, Aziz, had directed that CDA should immediately change its outdated procedures/rules and bylaws and make them simple and citizens-friendly, adding that discretionary powers should be done away with but the interior ministry did not implement the orders of the prime minister.
This time prime minister expressed his will with full force, sources maintained.
Shaukat was of the view that the CDA has yet not entered into 21st century and failed to create the much-needed activity in the capital and as a result, development work remained almost non-existent. NOC culture in CDA has also marred the progress and efficiency of the Authority and asked the organisation to be more proactive.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said that lack of development activities in the capital was even noticed by a distinguished high dignitary, who visited the federal capital in October.
Sources said the prime minister directed the CDA to concentrate more on development activities in all parts, particularly in the newly developed sectors.