CAG rap for DTC over loss due to unauthorised occupation of

The Comptroller and Auditor General today rapped the Delhi Transport Corporation for "avoidable" losses on account of unauthorised occupation of staff quarters at two staff colonies by its former employees.
The DTC constructed two staff colonies at Hari Nagar and G T Karnal Road with a total of 300 quarters.
Out of the 300 quarters, 284 are unauthorisedly occupied as on March 2013 by ex-employees and families of ex-employees who upon their cessation in service were informed about cancellation of the allotment and called upon to hand over the vacant possession of the said quarters, but have not done that, a CAG report said.

"Due to illegal occupation of staff quarters by ex-employees, the corporation has incurred an accumulated loss of Rs 53.59 crore till march 2013. Besides this, the recoverable amount on account of electricity, water charges was to the tune of Rs 28.55 lakh till March 2013," said the report.
The DTC workers had approached Supreme Court in 2006 which decided the issue of the ownership right in favour of DTC, following which it issued notice to ex-employees for vacation of quarters and payment of damages through Estate Officer.
The orders of the Estate Officer were challenged in the courts of District Judge, but were dismissed.

"It was, however, observed that after dismissal of appeal of ex-employees against the order of Estate Officer in February 2009 and appointment of Eviction Officer on April 2010, that is after more than one year, no concrete action was taken by DTC to get the eviction done and recovery of damages for more than two yers from the appointment of Eviction Officer.

The Council of Ministers of Delhi decided that the retired DTC employees should be directed to vacate quarters within two months, failing which, eviction should be undertaken, keeping in view the decision of the Supreme Court.
DTC has still not been able to get back the possession of unauthorisedly occupied quarters as on March 31, 2013.

"This has resulted in avoidable loss of Rs 53.59 Crore, besides, the serving employees have also been deprived of the facility of staff quarters," the auditor said.
Further, the CAG report revealed that DTC suffered a loss of Rs 34.86 lakh due to not claiming refund of TDS in its Income Tax Returns.