The provincial ombudsman Abdur Rashid Khan has directed District Officer (Revenue) Gujranwala to re-examine the complainant Rana Muhammad Yaqoob to refund Rs 25, 500 on account of earnest money deposited by him at the time of open auction of state land.
The complainant contended that he took part in an open auction on June 26, 1999 situated in village Dahlianwali belonging to provincial minister. The complainant being highest bidder was allowed to deposit an amount of Rs 25, 500 as one fourth of the total bid money.
Later, he made many requests for depositing the remaining amount but to no avail. He therefore, requested the ombudsman to redress his grievance by allowing him either to deposit the remaining amount and grant him proprietary rights of the state land or the earnest money be refunded in case permission for approval of bid proceeding had not bee granted.
The department informed the ombudsman that the complainant was required to deposit the remaining amount within a period of seven days but he failed and as result of which his bid was cancelled and bid amount was confiscated.
The ombudsman after hearing the complainant directed respondent to re-examine the request of the complainant for refund of earnest money and in case it was found that notices issued to the complainant for depositing the remaining amount was not served upon him, his deposited amount be refunded to him.