CoD probe ordered into land allotment `irregularities’

This follows a complaint filed by VeKare Ex-Servicemen’s Trust, Mysore.

• Fraudulent’ allotment of sites was prima facie established during a departmental inquiry ordered by the Governor recently.
• CoD will conduct an inquiry into the `irregularities’ in allotment of sites and submit a report in three months.

MYSORE: The Government has ordered a probe by Corps of Detectives (CoD) into the “irregularities” in allotment of sites in a prime residential locality in Bangalore by the Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement.

According to a copy of the Government order dated March 27, 2006, made available to The Hindu , the probe has been ordered after VeKare Ex-Servicemen’s Trust (VKET), Mysore, brought the matter to the notice of the Governor, and sought an inquiry into allotment of sites allotment of sites meant for war widows and dependants of soldiers killed in war and war-like situations to ineligible persons.

The probe was ordered after “fraudulent” allotment was prima facie established in a departmental inquiry. CoD has been asked to look into the ” irregularities” in allotment of sites by the former Director of Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement Brig (Retd.) S. Vijaykumar and submit a report in three months.

According to M.N. Subramani, VKET president, the Government had allotted a plot of land in second stage Binnamangala in Indiranagar, Bangalore, to provide 26 free sites and houses built out of the corpus of Governor’s Defence Fund for of war widows and dependants of soldiers killed in war and war-like situations.

Mr. Vijaykumar had allotted nine sites to ineligible persons, including himself, in 1999, VKET alleged.

He allotted a site for himself and two each to three others in violation of the law,” Mr. Subramani said in the complaint. Mr. Subramani alleged that the official, after securing extension of service, had altered the format of the allotment letters in May 1999, and allotted a site each to himself and the then assistant director Ramappa Thimme Gowda, and one jointly to Shobha Latha and Alexander, a driver in the department.

He also allotted two plots each to ex-sepoy Rasool Khan, hon. flying officer Mahaboob Khan and Kashi Bai Halagali, widow of T.G. Halagali, VKET said.

“These six plots form a rectangle amidst 26 plots earmarked for war widows and war casualties,” VKET said.

Courtesty: The Hindu