Agri Farms Issue Be Referred To NAB If CDA Fails To Take

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Oct, 2016 ) : Sub-Committee-IV of the Public Accounts Committee Friday warned to hand over agri farm houses' violation issue to National Accountability Bureau (NAB), if Capital Development Authority failed to take action against the violators.

The committee meeting, chaired by Shahida Akhtar Ali, directed CDA to take action in the light of apex court's decision against the owners of farm houses, who were violating rules, and get these vacated.

The farm houses were allotted to grow vegetables and poultry products for the local markets of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, but contrary to this, a farmhouse is considered a status of symbol where the elite class resides.

Passing observation that no one was above the law, the committee sought all relevant details of the farm houses and directed the civic body to ensure implementation of the Supreme Court verdict in this regard.

The PAC sub-committee was reviewing audit objections of CDA for the year 2009-10. Audit authorities said CDA had total of 610 agri farms, out of which 109 were undeveloped so far, while 339 farms were not being used for the agri purpose.

Committee member Mian Abdul Mannan said some people had built palaces at the farm houses, which were meant for the agri purpose. Audit authorities informed the committee that CDA granted permission to construct 47-storey Grand Hayat Hotel without getting No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority, according to which the construction would violate the air field rules.

The committee reprimanded over the violation and asked civil body to look into the issue and point out the official responsible for issuing the permission to construct the high-rise building. CDA Chairman and Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz apprised the committee that Federal Investigation Agency and other departments were investigating the case.

The committee recommended to lodge an FIR (First Information Report) and start legal proceedings against the responsible persons. It also directed to thoroughly investigate the case and submit a report within a week.

Audit authorities apprised the committee that CDA had acquired land in Sarai Kharbuza at a rate of Rs 700,000 per kanal, almost Rs 300,000 higher than the market rate, causing Rs 2677 million loss to national exchequer.

The committee clubbed the similar audit paras and sought a detailed report from CDA in a period of one week and directed to fix responsibility. The committee was told that CDA paid Rs 50.9 million to a contractor, without any practical work on ground, for a sewerage treatment plant in I-9 sector of the capital.

The revelation stunned the committee, which directed to complete the probe and furnish a report within 30 days. Sheikh Ansar said the CDA had already initiated an in-house inquiry into the issue of Rs 50.9 million payment to a contractor.