MULTAN: The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has initiated an inquiry into the auction of a commercial plot on “less price” by the Multan Development Authority (MDA).

Complainant Shabir Anjam, a private citizen, alleged that the loss of millions was caused to the national exchequer because of the assessment of the plot from the excise department instead of the district price assessment committee while approval from the provincial government was not obtained for the changing the status of plot as commercial.

Earlier, on Sept 29, MDA Chairman Mian Jamil Ahmad sought explanation from the MDA director general (DG) over his alleged involvement in malpractices for illegal motives while stating that the director general in his official capacity misused his position for auction of Plot No 14/C, Block B, Model Town (the same plot).

“Even you did not bother to proceed in accordance with law for the auction of the above commercial plot. The assessment has been made by the director of the excise and taxation, Multan, instead of the District Price Assessment Committee as per rules. The approval to convert the utility plot into commercial plot has not been accorded from Chief Minister Punjab as per mandate. You have attempted to cause loss in millions to government exchequer for sale of above mentioned commercial plot”, states an official handout written on Sept 29.

The DG, however, termed the letter preposterous and sheer violation of all laws, saying that the chairman does not possesses any administrative control whatsoever.

He said that the content of the letter are against the facts as authority can change the trade of any plot which is not of public amenity and the same was accorded in the 82nd and 83rd meeting of the governing body of the authority to which the chairman himself had also agreed and is recorded on video as proof as well.

“Furthermore, the reserve price was assessed by the price assessment committee of the MDA as per rules and rates from the excise department were sought later for comparison only. District price assessment committee cannot be asked to give rates where valuation tables are available,” he said.

He said that two people applied to participate in the auction who are purportedly partners with the incumbent chairman in one of his illegal plazas at Chowk Shah Abbas.

He said despite the fact both persons were given the opportunity to be heard, their requests were turned down by the Lahore High Court (LHC).

“The auction process is still not approved and is being complied with in pursuance of LHC orders. The same would be submitted there after finalization. Mr chairman has visibly crossed his limits in exercising authority which he does not possess under annals of any law prevalent in Punjab,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2020