Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Wednesday described as ‘mischievous' reports in certain sections of the media that his government had violated or gone against rules in allotting plots or houses of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) under the Government Discretionary Quota (GDQ).
Whichever party was in power, it was the practice that 85 per cent of houses were allotted to beneficiaries through draw of lots and the remaining 15 per cent through the GDQ, the Chief Minister said in a statement.
The allotment under the GDQ was being made to different categories of persons such as single women, destitute women, differently abled, senior citizens, social activists, employees of Central and State governments and journalists.
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At the time of allotment through the GDQ and the Housing Board, the higher rate among the categories of rates – Ruling Rate followed by the TNHB, market rate and sub-registrar's office guideline rate – was fixed. The Chief Minister deplored the portrayal by certain sections of the media that houses or plots were allotted free of cost or at concessional rates or at a rate lower than what was being allotted through draw of lots.
In some cases, those who were allotted through the GDQ had returned plots on the plea that the price quoted was very high. At the time of allotment, the government would merely go by the declaration of applicants, who have to agree to follow conditions of the Housing Board.
Once those who were allotted the plots secured sale deeds after paying the dues fully, there was no stipulation on the manner of use of allotted plots. The government or the Housing Board did not suffer any loss on account of land allotment under the discretionary quota, Mr. Karunanidhi said, referring to Housing Minister I. Periasamy's statement on Tuesday that in respect of specific complaints of violation of rules, the government would examine them and take action, if they were true.
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The Housing Board, using discretionary powers, had allotted houses on rent to a few political leaders, including those belonging to the Communist Party of India. During the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime, plots, at concessional rates, had been allotted to journalists in Chennai, Tiruchi, Salem, Coimbatore and Madurai, the Chief Minister added.
Beneficiaries
Documents obtained under Right to Information Act have pointed to the allocation of Housing Board plots and flats to relatives of IAS and IPS officers and relatives of officers in the Chief Minister's office, retired judges, relatives of a minister, a senior DMK MLA, persons working in the DMK office and Chief Minister's residence and the wife of a senior Tamil journalist.
Most of those who secured the plots have declared themselves as “social workers” for the purpose of getting the allotment.
Two senior IAS officers in the Chief Minister's office received two grounds of lands each for their wards. The daughter of an officer had produced a certificate from the International Association of Lions Clubs, saying that “she was teaching poor children in the night school… and also participating in social service activities of the Lions Club camps…”
Similarly, two relatives of a Minister had obtained “social worker” certificates from a local tahsildar in Salem. One of them, according to the certificate, was involved in many social welfare activities as president of a village panchayat and head of parent-teachers association in a school. Her daughter was stated to be involved in National Social Service, and had participated in eye donation and blood donation camps.
Allotment to judges was under the category of “eminent persons in society.”