KARACHI, Jan 23: Sindh Ombudsman Justice Haziq ul Khairi has directed the defunct Lyari Development Authority and the Board of Revenue and to conduct a joint physical survey of the Hawkesbay Housing Scheme (No 42) to ascertain actual land available for development.

The survey of the scheme launched some 19 years ago in 1984 is yet to be carried out.

The board of revenue has sought one month’s time to conduct the exercise jointly with the city government.

The defunct KDA had received some 29,462 applications and an amount of Rs700.8 million from public for allotment of residential plots in this scheme. The scheme was transferred to the LDA in 1995 and till this date, there is only one paper allocation of 2,700 acres for the scheme.

During this period, the entire amount of Rs700.8 million received from public was spent by KDA on other schemes and currently no land can be earmarked for this 19-year-old scheme.

However, on Oct 10, 2000, the Ombudsman took suo motu notice of the alleged administrative excesses, gross neglect and inordinate delay in

development work of this scheme and illegal allotment of its land to other undeserving persons.

It transpired during investigation that 31 poultry farms comprising an area of 98.6 acres were leased out to various persons between October 28, 1986, and April 11, 1987, by the then D.C. West free of cost.

Further about 1,000 acres was also allotted free of cost to various other persons, including 300 acres to Mahmood Khan Zahairi and M/s K.K. Builders against a reserved price of Rs900 per square yard.

Further 550 plots were also allotted to the staff of chief minister, Sindh Assembly, Governor’s House and other individuals for Rs5 to Rs25 per square yard.

As a result of Ombudsman’s findings, the Governor of Sindh took cognizance of this maladministration and appointed a committee which vide its recommendations of June 26, 2001, suggested that double allotment of land or plots be withdrawn and their possession/ title be restored in the name of LDA and civic facilities be carried out through private sector and proposals be invited. However, these recommendations remained unimplemented.

The Ombudsman once again invoked his powers and required the concerned agencies to appear before him on Dec 16, 2002.

Explaining their position, they conceded that the direction of the Ombudsman to carry out joint physical survey of land was not complied with.

With no available funds of its own, how this dormant housing project will take off, is another question and the Ombudsman has fixed the matter for February 15 for further orders. —PPI/APP