Government housing: Senators unhappy over illegal allotments

Discuss delay in execution of Kuri Road Housing Project.

ISLAMABAD: A senate panel on Tuesday sought a report on out-of-turn allotments of official accommodation to government officers and delays in the execution of development work.

A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works also discussed delays in the execution of the Kuri Road Housing Project.

The committee was informed that the project was supposed to be completed by April 2014, yet only five per cent of work had been completed so far.

The Pakistan Housing Authority has taken possession of 90.8 acres for the scheme, planned to accommodate government officers.

Senator Zafar Ali Shah directed the authorities to take action against those responsible for the delay. Chairman Shahi Syed criticised the bureaucracy for the delay.

He said all rules must be followed in order to avoid getting entangled in litigation.

Syed observed that almost all mega development projects have been challenged in the courts due to delays.

Estate Officer Peer Ashraf told the committee that some 69 officers who got out-of-turn allotments in their name have been summoned. The committee also sought details of all officers who were not entitled to official accommodation but were still availing it.

Ashraf said some officials have more than one accommodation in their name and such practices should end.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2014.