MULTAN: The chairman and the director general (DG) of the Multan Development Authority (MDA) have been at a daggers drawn for sometime which may affect the working of the authority.

Recently, MDA Chairman Mian Jamil wrote to the DG accusing him of misusing his position in the auction of Plot No 14/C, Block B, Model Town.

DG Agha Muhammad Ali Abbas calls the letter preposterous and sheer violation of all laws, reminding him that the chairman did not possess any administrative control whatsoever.

He said the content of the letter was against the facts as the 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. The 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. “The auction process is still not approved and is being complied with in pursuance of LHC orders. The same would be submitted thereafter 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.

Earlier, the chairman wrote: “The assessment has been made by the Director Excise and Taxation Multan instead of the District Price Assessment Committee as per rules. The approval to convert the utility plot into a commercial plot has not been accorded from Chief Minister Punjab as per mandate. You have attempted to cause a loss in millions to government exchequer for sale of above mentioned commercial plot.”

The chairman asked the MD to submit a reply in three days and explain his position.

“In case of failure, strict legal action shall be taken against you and the reference shall also be sent to NAB for taking cognizance against you and your companions”, the letter written on Sept 29, concluded.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2020