SWABI, Oct 27: The government has constituted a committee to investigate illegal allotment of plots in the Shahmansoor Township scheme.

About 14 years ago, the Mardan Development Authority (MDA) had prepared a housing scheme in the Shahmansoor area for the residents of district Swabi. However, after the devolution of power and the establishment of the local government system, the Swabi Development Authority was established and all the affairs of the Shahmansoor Township were handed over to the district government.

There were 2,100 plots of different sizes but initially only 600 people applied for the plots. After the first allotment, the MDA lost interest in the scheme and no development work was carried out for five years. The lack of interest on the part of the MDA forced about 20 per cent people to return their plots to the department at 20 per cent deduction.

This policy, sources said, could attract only 160 people. After eight year, the NWFP government had authorized the project director to begin allotment of plots on first-come, first-served basis. Under this policy, only 200 plots were booked in two years.

The local government secretary had sought an explanation in this connection.

Now the provincial government has constituted a committee to probe the township affairs. Education Minister Maulana Fazal Ali, who belongs to the district, heads the committee.