Odisha to fix modalities for scrapping allotments under discretionary quota

A high-level meeting chaired by the state chief secretary G C Pati today discussed on the possible modalities for implementing the recommendations of a task force to scrap irregular allotments of land and houses under the erstwhile discretionary quota.

Based on the recommendations of the task force headed by Taradatt, additional chief secretary (revenue & disaster management), the state cabinet had recently decided to scrap all allotments made under the discretionary quota since January 1, 1995.

"We discussed on the modalities for implementing the cabinet decision to cancel allotments under the discretionary quota. The law department will come up with the modalities after consultation with the advocate general", said Mihir Parida, principal secretary (law).

The law department would vet the recommendations of the task force before suggesting the course of action for the government.

The government had announced cancellation of all plots, houses and flats under the discretionary quota since January 1, 1995. Such properties were to be resumed to the concerned authorities- Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) and Odisha State Housing Board (OSHB)

A total of 1791 allotments including 803 by BDA, 921 by CDA and 67 by OSHB would stand cancelled. Besides, the vigilance wing of the state police will probe cases of multiple allotments and criminal proceedings will be initiated if beneficiaries have got the plots or houses by submitting fake affidavits.

Even though the government had done away with the discretionary quota in December 2011, it still drew flak as influential people availed the plots and homes under the quota meant for martyrs, sports persons and distinguished personalities. Ministers, bureaucrats, former and sitting judges, top cops and even journalists were beneficiaries of this quota which had landed the government in deep embarrassment.

Even after the decision to cancel all such allotments, the Opposition parties said the state government was still trying to cover up its misdeeds as the report was prepared with limited data.

The task force headed by Taradatt had concluded that the report was prepared with limited information and had recommended further investigation of the issue. It had said that the the state finance department should conduct a special audit of all left out cases of multiple allotments. Besides, the department must also conduct a special audit to find out the actual number of discretionary allotments made after January 1, 1995.