Vuda to go back to old ways, to allot plots by draw of lots

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 16, 2013 :  Probably in an image makeover exercise, the scam tainted Vuda would be allotting plots through draw of lots shunning the auction system. The decision in this regard is likely to be ratified at the Vuda’s board meeting which is expected to take place in the month end or early in June.

Though Vuda used to allot plots through lottery since 1989, it was from 2002 that the urban development authority started auctioning taking a cue from other organizations. And now it is planning to go back to the old ways. 

Vuda has often come under criticism for auctioning plots which was alleged to have indirectly helped the realtors in escalating the prices in the vicinity.  While the Vuda’s aim is to provide plots and houses to middle and lower income groups in urban areas at affordable prices it has deviated since a few years and was also caught in neck deep troubles due to irregular allotment of plots which turned out to be the first ever biggest scam in the history of Vuda.

As a test case Vuda had decided to allot 118 plots that have been left out in the 50 layouts developed by it by draw of lots. But to ensure that Vuda does not suffer any loss, a price fixation committee has been formed with financial experts from Andhra University. For these allotments, in the news system of draw of lots applications will be accepted online.

“Our HODs along with a professor from Andhra University already held a round a meeting on fixing the price. This was after we wrote to the vice chancellor of Andhra University to spare us a professor to fix the price of the plots depending on the market condition and rates. Very soon the rate will be fixed and issue a notification for lottery for these plots. The decision will also be ratified by the Vuda Baord very soon t o make it the lottery system permanent,” Vuda vice chairman, Dr N Yuvaraj told this correspondent.