Now, PAG objects to Vuda land sale

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Mar 26, 2013: After the vigilance and enforcement department probe confirmed alleged Rs 542 cr land scam of Vuda, now it’s the turn of Principal Auditor General (PAG) to raise objections. The audit body of Andhra Pradesh which completed post audit into accounts of Vuda has found fault over the third party registrations of the plots by its staff.

PAG had submitted its audit report of 2010-11 to the government giving a copy of the same to the Vuda in the second week of March.

According to highly placed sources in Vuda, in its report PAG made some clear and specific audit objections over the third party registrations of the plots in around 12 layouts developed by Vuda between 2010 and 11. It was during the same period that there were reports that large scale illegal allotments took place in various layouts developed by Vuda. And most of the registrations of the allegedly illegally allotted plots were done on third party.

The third party registrations of plots were actually banned as per a resolution passed by Vuda Board in 2005 barring houses.

Responding to reports that irregularities in large scale took place in various land allotments by Vuda, the then vice chairman K Sasidhar submitted a report to state government’s municipal administration department stating prima facie evidence was found on the said irregularities to the tune of Rs 542 crores in various layouts developed by the urban development authority in Rushikonda, Madhurawada and many other areas. Acting on the report, department of municipal administration and urban development issued G O RT no: 341 on March 21, last year entrusting the job of probing into the alleged irregularities to the vigilance and enforcement wing and submit its report within 3 months.

Though the local vigilance office had submitted its report to Hyderabad office it is yet to be handed over to the municipal and urban development department. To give an audit reply now Vuda staff is busy digging all old files and information to know the exact number of third party registrations done during the period and the reasons cited to do so despite a moratorium on such activity and also action taken in this regard.

It is estimated that an approximate 150 such registrations were done in 2010-11 and the fate of such registrations will be known only in April first week after the staff gets some clarity on the number of registrations.

“Staff was given a deadline of this month end to dig out all the details of the third party registrations done during 2010-11. We have already served a fresh circular very recently on banning these registrations as per a communiqué from stamps and registrations department. However we will take call on the third parry registrations already done after we get all the details,” Vuda vice chairman, Dr N Yuvaraj, told this correspondent.