Auditing body’s report shines a light on public land used illegally, and high levels of encroachment on DDA land
Highlighting the inefficiency of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) tabled its report in the Parliament on Friday.
In its report, the CAG has highlighted the delay in handing over the procession of plots, flats, even projects to the concerned authorities by the DDA in the national Capital. The auditing body, in its report, also highlighted public land used being illegally and high levels of encroachment on DDA land.
"There was an overall shortfall of 31.77 per cent in carrying out demolition programmes from 2010-11 to 2014-15. There were deficiencies in executing demolition programmes, including late reporting of encroachment, not handing over of land to the engineering wing, ambiguities noticed in the areas under the jurisdiction of engineering divisions and the resultant lack of proper land protection activities," says the report.
The auditing body has also pulled up the DDA for delaying land allocation to not only the general public, but government departments as well.
"DDA allots land to a government department as per the request of the concerned department for construction of schools, hospitals, police stations, bus depots. A delay in processing cases range from five to 93 months," said the report.
The report goes on to say that while the DDA announced the 'Rohini' residential scheme in 1981, with allotments supposed to be made through draw of lots periodically, the audit of which revealed certain deficiencies such as delay in holding draw for allotment, deficiencies in submission of required documents, and loss of revenue with respect to unearned increase.
In the 146-page report, the CAG has observed that due to a lack of coordination between the developing agency and the Delhi government, there has been a delay of alternative options to develop areas identified for urbanisation.
"...a land pooling policy was approved by the Central Government in September, 2013, but due to lack of coordination between DDA and Delhi Government, on pre requisite formalities such as declaration of development areas, the policy has not been operationalised yet (October 2016)," the report reads.
The audit also reveals that the developing agency delayed start of work even after acquiring all approvals. The report highlights the delay in completing work and handing over the projects between six months to more than 17 years.
"The audit highlighted various deficiencies in planning for land development activities, which included failure to take required approvals from various bodies before starting work, foreclosure of work due to encroachments, agitations and court orders," the report reads.
The CAG further recommends the involvement of the Ministry of Urban Development to take necessary action in resolving disputes pertaining to the DDA and DSIIDC in consultation with the Delhi government to enable industrial growth in the state.
"The DDA should ensure that land disposal activities are carried out in a timely manner as per the applicable regulatory framework, and the norms should be uniformly and consistently applied in all cases," the report says.
The report further added that while the information regarding vacant land, land under encroachment and land being protected was incomplete and not updated, there was a high number of cases pertaining to encroachment and cases of failure to construct boundary wall.
"DDA should lay down and implement a land protection system where construction of boundary wall/fencing/similar protection structure and setting up of sign boards declaring them to be DDA land, is carried out immediately after the land is received," the CAG report went on to say.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "DDA")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}