CDA yet to revalidate allotment letters

ISLAMABAD - Even after the lapse of three months after the cancellation of allotment letters to the entitled awardees of villages Kuri and Rehahra, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), so far, has not developed a comprehensive mechanism of revalidation of cancelled allotment letters. Not even a sing le invalidated allotment letter has yet been revalidated by the CDA, it has been learnt reliably. Earlier, after the surfacing of mega scam involving irregularities in implementation of Kuri and Rehara Villages award, CDA has declared approximately 3976 allotment letters of Kuri Model Village as invalid. At the time of cancellation of allotment letters CDA has announced that re-validated allotment letters would be issued to the entitled awardees immediately upon surrender of the already issued allotment letters, and after completion of all legal and procedural formalities as per the laid down policy of the authority. Sources said as many as 11 applications pertaining to the revalidation of such cancelled letters have so far been received by the concerned directorate of the authority, however, all applications were turned down for one reason or the other. An opinion sought by the Lands and Rehabilitation Directorate of the authority from CDA Law Directorate concerning apex courts direction regarding additional benefits under which CDA was taking possession of land from affectees is also laying pending, that also causing unusual delay in revalidation process, an official said. However, in the meantime, same official negated the impression that the authority owing to undue pressure from some quarters wanted to restore the letters it had already issued. According to new arrangements, three reports would be mandatory besides other procedural formalities for revalidation of an allotment letter. These reports include demolishing report, eligibility certificate by the concerned directorate and cash compensation eligibility certificate by the concerned directorate. In addition to these reports, the entitled awardee would also submit an undertaking in the form of an affidavit that he has not taken any other benefit from CDA. The feature of photograph of allottee/s is also added in the revalidated allotment letters for the sake of security. A report regarding eligibility for cash compensation from deputy director lands is also required for revalidation purpose. The entitled awardees are also not required to pay development charges in cash before the issuance of revalidated allotment letters. However, the amount of development charges would be deducted from cash compensation payable to the affectees. After emergence of the same scam former director lands and rehabilitation Dr Wasim Shamshad and his co-accused Assistant Director Sheikh Rashid were suspended from their services after they were found involve in irregularities.