DQ row: Odisha depts asked to wind up probe in two months

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 16:

The Odisha government today directed concerned departments to conclude the ongoing probe into the multiple allotments of flats/plots under discretionary quota (DQ) scheme in two-three months.

A high-level meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi was held at the state secretariat here to review the progress of the investigation into the alleged irregularities as per the recommendation of the special task force led by former additional chief secretary (Finance) Taradatt.

“A meeting was held to review the progress on the measures taken based on the recommendations of the task force. Vigilance Director, officials of BDA, CDA, OSHB and GA department were present in the meeting. There has been significant progress in the investigation. Some more aspects need to be looked into. In view of this, concerned departments have been given deadline to complete the probe in the next two-three months,” Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi told media persons after the meeting.

Notably, the review meeting was attended by officials of the Vigilance, Finance, Urban Development and General Administration departments, Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) and Odisha State Housing Board (OSHB).

According to highly-placed sources, Vigilance department has registered 24 criminal cases against allottees for availing plots or flats from BDA, CDA and OSHB by furnishing false affidavits.

It may be mentioned here that BDA has served notices to 732 allottees under DQ scheme of which 653 beneficiaries have responded to the notices. Besides, 914 out of 1091 allottees have responded to notices served by CDA. Similarly, OSHB has served notices to 90 recipients.

On April 7 this year, the General Administration department had sought progress report from the concerned departments on the investigation based on the recommendations of the task force.