Plots distribution dominates LDA referendum electioneering

[Salman]

Plots distribution dominates LDA referendum electioneering


Lahore - Electioneering in the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) referendum is locked on a one-point agenda, allotment of plots for employees pending over the last many years due to controversies racked by big-wigs of the authority, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Two leading unions-Staff Union and Employee Union-have started oiling their muscles for wheeling and dealing to supersede one another for the upcoming LDA referendum scheduled to be held on December 14. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and close relative of the Sharifs, Sohail Zia Butt, is heading the Staff Union.
Six registered unions are taking part in the referendum in which more than 2,000 voters would exercise their right of franchise. Staff Union is highlighting the controversial issue of allotment of plots for employees and basic rights being denied to LDA staff.
The LDA put on ice allotment of 1,156 plots to its regular employees flouting the employment quota rules and verdict of the Supreme Court (SC). According to rules, all employees of LDA, who have completed 10 years of service, are entitled to allotment of plots, which are three percent of the total plots in each housing society falling in jurisdiction of the authority. Plots were allotted for the first time in 1980 and for the second time in 2008. Out of total 2,225 plots, around 1,069 have already been distributed among employees through balloting. But the third balloting for 1,156 plots is pending until now.
Total available plots are 1,156, which are to be awarded to employees but willful delaying tactics have put the process on hold. “Strong lobby of the DMG Group and those working on deputation on key posts in LDA, are behind the delay. Owing to their lopsided policies, people had to go to courts to seek justice that led to delay and sometimes “DMG superstars” fended off holding meetings to finalise the process,” sources said.
They said that DMG official Abdul Jabbar Shaheen who has the additional charge of LDA DG is no different from his predecessor and delayed the issue. As deputationists did not have the entitlement for plots, they lacked the interest to smoothen the allotment process, sources said.
They said that the DMG Group and deputationists played a role in misdistribution of plots to employees by violating the rules in February 2010 by taking million of rupees as commission. After the scam surfaced, sources said that LDA had to cancel the allotment procedure.
Former LDA DG Umer Rasool noticed the issue but did not touch it and made directors Nadeem Akhtar Ghori and Muhammad Ali officers on special duty (OSD).
“DMG officials mismanaged the situation by deciding to deprive all employees, who had served 20 years in the authority, which is totally contrary to recommendations submitted by the LDA committee formed on directions of Rasool that employees who had served 10 years should be eligible for allotment of plots,” a LDA official said.
According to the new plan, LDA has to award a one kanal plot to each official of LDA and WASA of BPS-18 and 19 who completed 10 years of service. Similarly, officials of BPS-16 and 17 will also be given plots. As there is shortage of three to seven marla plots, employees of BPS-1 to 15 will remain deprived of plots.
LDA allotted 190 plots to its employees in 1988 through balloting. Around 548 plots were given through balloting in 2008. The plots included Johar Town Phase-I and Phase II (89), Sabzazar Scheme Phase-I, Phase II (133), Jubilee Scheme (119), Mohalnwal Scheme (26), Gujjarpura Scheme (163), Mustafa Town (18). But the process of third time allotment of plots was termed illegal in February, 2010. According to the SC judgment, LDA was required to calculate three percent quota to be allotted to LDA employees in all new schemes.
After due deliberations and series of discussions, a LDA committee in 2007 reached the conclusion that the remaining regular employees of LDA, having minimum period of service of 10 years, be allotted plots on promulgation of disposal of land by the Development Authorities (Regulations) Act 1988.