Change in covered area after allotment causes huge loss

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) management has completed the initial inquiry on the directive of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) into changes of increase in the covered area of plot No 5, F-7 Markaz, (Safa Gold Mall) after its allotment. It inflicted a loss of millions of rupees on the exchequer.
Misappropriation had been proved when the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) initiated a separate probe into the matter.The CDA chairman ordered a fact finding enquiry on April 21, 2014, headed by Director General (Services) Najeebur Rahman. Deputy Director General (Structure) Iqbal Ghulam Dawar was a member and secretary of the inquiry committee.
The committee submitted its report to the chairman after serious work for a year. It recommended a detailed inquiry against concerned CDA officials to fix responsibility. The committee also recommended action against those who had misused their authority without seeking permission from the CDA board and the federal government.
It has also been disclosed that the relevant record was not provided by the Building Control Section to the inquiry committee despite the directives of the PAC and orders of chairman CDA.
The committee also recommended action against the officials who had hidden facts. It has recommended placing the BCS section under DG Design.
The inquiry report disclosed granting eight favours to the builder by the CDA and asked the finance wing to review the favours and assess the loss inflicted to the CDA.
According to the report, had the plot been auctioned in accordance with the concessions granted, it would have fetched much more price for the CDA. The rate of FAR was increased from 1.5 to 1.8. Two basements were allowed but three were built. Constructions of three basements was also allowed beneath CDA land adjoining the plot. Similarly, seven floors were allowed while only four floors over the 100% area of the ground floor are allowed as per law. A cinema was also allowed on the top floor and use of the drain adjoining the plot was also allowed by constructing the roof. The plot was shifted 30 feet in the south. A copy of the inquiry report is in possession of this correspondent.