Corruption mars Gurugram EWS plot allotment scheme

Gurugram: Various incidents of corruption reported in the process of residential plot allotment have caused many residents not able to get their dream home in Gurugram. While the issue of multiple plot allotment scams has still not been resolved and is being heard in the Punjab and Haryana high court, now the latest issue of irregularities in EWS plot allotment has emerged.

Under this the land that was to be allotted at 500 rupees per square yard for those who were earning Rs 3500 per month in areas of Sushant Lok -2 and 3. However, as per complaints the land has not been given to the required allottees. The case is now being heard in the Gurugram sessions court where the recently summoned officials of Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) and Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) sought an explanation.

This case follows after the multiple land allotment scams that resulted in the loss of credibility of HUDA and also impacted the integrity of many public and defence personnel. Through the RTI, it was revealed that various public officials who were designated to receive one residential plot were given two or more than three plots. The investigations into the case revealed that there were as many 44 HUDA officials who were involved in the connivance and indulging in unethical practices.

Presently, the case is being heard in the Punjab and Haryana high court and the next hearing is slated to be on March 1. For a city where population is over 20 lakhs, various central and state schemes are being initiated for providing affordable housing.

However, most of these initiatives are not yielding the desired results. One such example has been the failure of Ashiana housing scheme at Sector 47 near Sohna road. Set up in 2011, the housing project was to provide 1080 flats under the EWS category. Yet, in seventh year of its completion, there has not been a single occupant of the flats. The poor condition of the flats is only increasing the maintenance costs of cash strapped HUDA.

Taking cognisance of the opaque processes in the land allotment process that often results in corruption, the Haryana government has made all the processes of HUDA digital. "No doubt in the past there has been certain practices by our officials that impacted the credibility of our organisation. Steps however are being taken to make the process more transparent. Not only are our services now made digital but there has also been a time frame in which we have to deliver our services," said a senior HUDA official.