Swarnjayanti Puram plot restoration: Procedural lapses in plot restoration come to fore, ex-officials under scanner

Ghaziabad Development Authority vice chairman sent names of several former officials of GDA in connection with irregularities in plot restorations at Swarnjayanti Puram housing scheme in Ghaziabad between 2005 and 2007

In connection with the alleged irregularities in restoration of plots in Swarnjayanti Puram housing scheme, officials of the Ghaziabad Development Authority have found 139 instances of procedural lapses. They have sent names of then serving several senior officials in the development authority to the state administration to decide on the future course of action.

Nearly 1,583 plots were offered at Swarnjayanti Puram Housing Scheme in Ghaziabad between 1998 and 2003. During 2005-2007, restoration of 139 cancelled plots was taken up by the then GDA officers. (Sakib Ali/ HT Photo)

For Swarnjayanti Puram Housing Scheme, nearly 1,583 plots were offered from 1998 to 2003. During 2005-2007, restoration of 139 cancelled plots was taken up by then GDA officers.

Names of several senior officials cropped up after councillor Rajendra Tyagi filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in 2011; the PIL is being heard in the Allahabad high court. Tyagi had contended that restoration of 139 cancelled plots in the housing scheme was done flouting norms. In his PIL, he alleges malpractices on part of the then GDA officials.

He also contends that the then serving GDA officials, in connivance with private individuals, helped third parties get plots restored.

GDA vice chairperson Ritu Maheshwari on Tuesday said that she has also sent the names of then GDA vice-chairman DP Singh (now retired), then officer-on-special-duty (OSD) RP Pandey, then-secretary RC Mishra, then OSD Heera Lal and then under secretary (late) Anil Rana. Pandey was promoted as an IAS and is presently posted as the district magistrate in Hamirpur.

Earlier, the high court took a tough stance in its August 21 order and said that the recovery must be made from beneficiaries of illegal restoration order of the development authority and also from the personal assets of the officers who had created the situation. It also directed the GDA to give names of the officials serving during that time.

According to the then prevailing norms, restoration of cancelled plots could be done for the same plot within six months. However, inquiry shows that different plots of different sizes were allotted as late as 3-4 years later.

According to officials, 45 of 139 instances were those in which sale deed of the restored cancelled plots was done within a period of one to 10 years. A report was sent to the state administration for a detailed inquiry.

In 52 instances, the sale deed of the restored plots was done in the name of a third person on the same date of restoration.

In seven other instances, officials have found that the restoration was done at a different circle rate, causing a loss of nearly ₹35 lakh and its recovery will be made from beneficiaries.

“A detailed inquiry is needed to estimate the loss in the rest of the cases, if any. We will also be submitting an affidavit before the court with the latest development,” she added.