Plot allotment scam surfaces in Noida
A multi-crore plot allotment scam has come to light in the city. The Noida authority on Saturday ordered a probe into the alleged irregularities in the allotments that were made during the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) regime in 2008. Vinod Rajput reports.
A multi-crore plot allotment scam has come to light in the city. The Noida authority on Saturday ordered a probe into the alleged irregularities in the allotments that were made during the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) regime in 2008.
According to a report of the state government's local fund audit department, 180 plots of size ranging from 1,000 to 20,000 square metres for corporate offices were allotted allegedly at throw away prices to individuals/IT companies, causing Rs 254-crore loss to the exchequer.
The report said that most of the allottees were the same, who got farmhouse plots during the BSP regime. An investigation into the Rs 500-crore farmhouse scam is being conducted by Uttar Pradesh lokayukta NK Mehrotra.
According to sources, Noida authority chief executive officer (CEO) Rama Raman on Saturday formed a three-member team, which will probe into the alleged irregularities in the allotment of 'corporate office' plots.
The committee consisting of account officer VK Jain, chief architect and planner Dev Pujari and general manager (infrastructure) DB Malik will start its probe from Monday.
As per the audit report, the authority allotted these 180 plots along the Noida Expressway at Rs 7,800 per square metre against the then prevailing rate of Rs 14,400 per square metre.
"As per the board meeting held on May 8, 2008, the prevailing market rate was Rs 14,400 per square metre. However, the then authority officials did not go by the prevailing rate to benefit the companies and individuals, who also got farmhouse plots," said an authority official.
The audit report also said that instead of bidding system, these plots were allotted through open-ended scheme to benefit allottees.
"Then authority officials did not take finance department's opinion before issuing a rate of Rs 7,800 per square metre, which is also illegal," said the official.