‘Fraudulent’ restoration of HUDA plots: Hry orders vigilance probe

RESUMPTION ORDERS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF HUDA ACT WERE PASSED FOR AT LEAST THREE SITES: OFFICIALS

CHANDIGARH: A vigilance inquiry has been ordered by the Haryana government into an alleged fraud committed by officials of Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) by ordering restoration of resumed plots in Gurugram in violation of rules.

Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who is also the chairman of HUDA — now rechristened Haryana Sehhari Vikas Pradhikaran — ordered a probe following a source report in the matter. The resumption of a plot or a site by HUDA means reassuming its possession following breach of terms and conditions of allotment of plots. Officials said there were at least three sites, including industrial, for which resumption orders under the provisions of HUDA Act were passed.

However, the government came to know that HUDA officials allegedly ordered that restoration of the plots in fraudulent manner. “No official has been named yet in the matter. The vigilance bureau will conduct an inquiry and submit a report,’’ said a top official.

One of the industrial plots (number 50 in Sector 18, Gurugram), officials said, was approved for restoration despite the fact that the allottee was issued notice under section 17 (3) and (4) of the HUDA Act for resumption of the site on the grounds of breach of conditions of sale of the plot.

Officials said that government was in know of a number of resumed HUDA sites which have been restored in an illegitimate and fraudulent manner. As per the HUDA Act, the estate officer orders the resumption of the plot after giving an opportunity to the allottee to be heard. Thereafter, any person aggrieved by the orders of the estate officer can make an appeal to the chief administrator, HUDA who can confirm, vary or reverse the order of the estate officer and may pass such order as he deems fit.