CDA Chairman cancels plots

[Salman]

ISLAMABAD : The Chairman Capital Development Authority, on Thursday, cancelled allotment of 109 residential plots to officials of the civic authority, after CDA union protested against the move.

In a letter issued from Chairman CDA Tahir Shahbaz’s office to Members Estate, Planning and Development, and Administration, stated: “It is categorically clarified that Chairman CDA neither approved nor directed any officer of the Authority for allotment of plots to its officers/officials.”

Important to note that this was the second time allotment of plots were cancelled. The last time it happened was in June, 2012.

Last summer saw similar protests from CDA union when employees locked all doors and accesses into chairman’s block to protest against allotment of plots to over a hundred regular officials (with less than ten years of service) and officers on deputation (with less than one year service).

Then chairman CDA Engineer Farkhand Iqbal was forced to sit in an alternate office in the Convention Centre for about a day or two.

According to representatives of the union, the allotment of 109 plots — presently in the wave of controversy — happened secretly in the CDA office without taking other members of the Authority in confidence. All the records and documentations were shifted out of the CDA office to give out allotment letters, said a union worker.

“The union learnt about the secret meeting where allotment letters were being given out but could not pinpoint the location, otherwise the union would have stopped the proceedings,” said Deputy Secretary General, CDA Union, Haji Mushtaq.

“The union does not have anything against the officers, who were allotted the plots. But the law was violated. Regular officers with less than ten years of service have been given plots.

In this case employees with even six months of service have been favoured,” said Haji Mushtaq explaining the process of allotment that only the employees with over ten years of regular service were entitled to residential plots in the city.

And officials on deputation had to complete one year in office before they could become eligible.

He said that their protest will continue until the needs of all those employees who have served 12 to 14 years as CDA employees were met.

According to an official, the drama started on Wednesday when some CDA officials tried to hold “illegal” balloting of residential plots in posh sectors.

The 109 plots were spread across sectors I-8 and D-12. The market prices of these plots varied between Rs15 million to Rs25 million.

But Chairman CDA maintained that he never authorised the allotment of plots.

“I did not authorise it. And that is why the allotments have been declared null and void,” said Syed Tahir Shahbaz describing the allotment as mischief.

“There will most likely be an inquiry to determine who is behind the allotments of the plots to officers,” said Syed Tahir Shahbaz.