Lokayukta wants answers from govt

 The Delhi Lokayukta ordered the Deputy Secretary (urban development) to appear before it in a week's time and demonstrate the process followed by the department in 2008 in giving approval to unauthorised colonies. 

The Delhi Lokayukta issued the order on the complaint with regards to the issuance of Provisional Regularisation Certificates (PRC) by Delhi government to over a thousand unauthorised colonies in 2008.

 “The court has asked Mahender Pal, Deputy Secretary, to demonstrate the process of approval followed by Unauthorised Colony Cell and other departments in the signing of the PRC,” said Justice Manmohan Sarin.

 As per the complaint, three unauthorised colonies exist only on papers while the land is being used for farming with few shanties built on it recently to give a look of a colony. With alleged fraudulent means adopted to get the PRC for the same, the prices of these land shot up and the people concerned made unexpected money. 

“The court wants to know that while processing these cases, was the urban development department satisfied regarding the existence of the said colonies in 2002 or any reference or cross check was made to see whether there was 50 per cent built up area in 2007 prior to the issuance of PRCs,” said Sarin.

 He also asked Mahender Pal to confirm that all the files concering the matter has been produced before the forum. Sarin observed that the Enquiry Report filed by the Secretary (Revenue) is neither privileged nor does it have any bearing on national security, foreign relations or law and can be disclosed.