Information commission directs Mhada to list lottery beneficiaries

In a move that may reduce corruption, the state information commission (SIC) has directed the chief executive officer of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) to put up list of all its beneficiaries who have been allotted residential and non-residential units on its website.

The order, which was given by state chief information commission Ratnakar Gaikwad on March 19, states that the authority should comply by April 30 and submit a compliance report. It followed an application filed in February 2012 by Borivili-based applicant Sharad Yadav.

In his application, Yadav wanted the list of beneficiaries who have been allotted residential and non-residential (commercial) units, alleging that people who deserve units after winning the lottery do not receive them due to corruption in Mhada.

Yadav sought information from 2002 to 2010. While the public information officer (PIO) did not reply to him, the first appellate authority also did not hear him or pass any order. He filed a second appeal with the commission in August 2012, and it was heard on March 19 this year.

"There are times when Mhada does not allot houses to people on flimsy reasons despite them having won the lottery. What they mostly do is reject the beneficiary's claim to a house, accusing him of not having proper documents. In such scenarios, those who are on the waiting list should be given preference. But that does not happen. With the help of agents, residential and non-residential units are sold to people who had not even applied for them by corrupt Mhada officials," alleged Yadav.

Mhada, which has lately been accused of tagging its units with high prices, has offered citizens properties at almost half the prevailing market rate. Due to this, there has been allegations of corruption. Often, those who have purchased houses sell them within a short time span to make money or transfer ownership to others. The recent order may help curb these practices.

In the order, the commission stated that the above information should have been put up by Mhada on its own as per certain provisions of the RTI Act. Section 4 of the RTI Act states that public authority should suo motu put up such information. Since the PIO did not provide any information, the commission has issued a show-cause notice asking why he should not be fined and disciplinary action not be taken on him.

"The order is good and should help a number of people," said Yadav. When dna contacted Mhada's chief executive officer, he was unavailable for comment.