DDA breaks wall of silence

For the first time after allegations rocked DDA that draw of lots for the 5,238 flats conducted by it last month could be rigged, the agency on Monday came out with a detailed clarification saying the draw was free and fair.

For the first time after allegations rocked Delhi Development Authority (DDA) that draw of lots for the 5,238 flats conducted by it last month could be rigged, the agency on Monday came out with a detailed clarification saying the draw was free and fair.

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Asma Manzar, DDA Housing Commissioner, said, “The draw of lots was computerised. We had selected a random number and fed it to the computer after which the draw was started. There is no question of the draw of lots being rigged.”

She said that it’s only after the lottery is over that DDA carries out a detailed verification of each successful allottee before handing him or her the possession letter. “Unless the verification process is over, flats would not be handed over to even a single allottee. It happened the same way during the last housing scheme, which was launched in 2006. At that time also, once the lottery was over, we found during the verification process that 350 successful allottees had submitted forged documents. Their allotments were cancelled, registration money forfeited and FIRs were lodged against them,” she said.

However, DDA insiders who did not want to be named, as they are not authorised to speak to the media said that it is this casual approach that could have resulted in irregularity. “If these 350 applications were rejected before the draw, genuine applicants could have made it to the draw in their place,” said a DDA official.

Here is what DDA is saying to counter the allegations levelled against it.

Forged documents were submitted along with application forms
“We have already rejected over a 1000 forms where we came across some or other irregularity. These forms were not included in the lottery,” said Manzar.

Five people from the same village in Rajasthan got flats
“This is sheer coincidence. They have got flat under the reserved category. As there is lesser number of flats under this category it is quite possible that all of them who applied got flats. Anyway we are going to verify the documents before handing over possession,” said Neemo Dhar, DDA spokesperson.

Atleast ten forms had the same mobile number
“It does not mean anything. Providing contact number is not mandatory and neither is it an eligibility criteria. We have introduced it this time only so as to check if successful applicants receive all our written communication regarding allotment,” said Dhar.