S.K. Bhalla
It is a scoop. Civil Vigilance Cell J&K has accessed certain incriminating documents regarding out of the way favours spread on a platter and offered faithfully by J&K Housing Board. In 2011 a certified copy of the allotment order along with the initial lease deed executed between J&K Housing Board and one Kuldeep Khoda R/o 1-A, Sector-1, Channi Himmat Jammu with regard to a plot in Sector-1 Channi Himmat was sought. The Housing Board in the interest of solidarity and integrity of India did not share the information under the plea that it is not covered under RTI Act 2009 as it does not pertain to the prescribed period. An excuse to stall investigation and save the skin.
An undated application by Mr. Khoda to the then Managing Director J&K Housing Board is also in our archives on the subject “Rotary construction and allotment of land strip rendered available thereby”. Notings on the application refer to the year 2006. The top cop pleaded for a small strip of land between the road and his allotted land which was likely to remain un-utilized.
An RTI disclosure reveals that @Rs. 305/sq.ft. land measuring 900 sq.ft. approx. in Channi Himmat was physically handed over adjoining Plot No. 1-A. The lease deed executed on the 6th day of Feb. 2008 makes a mention of Rs. 2, 74, 500/- paid in full in pursuance of issue of allotment order. The lease is for a period of 20-year. Readers interested in getting a copy of lease deed are requested to visit the office of CVC on any working days except Sundays. The market value of the land at present is beyond 40-Lac approximately but for peanuts a person above poverty line was accommodated as he wield a baton.
As per written inputs a few more lease deeds were executed which J&K Housing Board is not ready to share as in response to an application dated 28.08.2009 filed by a public spirited Advocate, State Vigilance Organization vide SVO-Veri-Jmu-20/08-11673 dated 29.09.2009 revealed that Managing Director Housing Board has been advised to ensure proper demarcation of various strips of land available so as to avoid any encroachment. Housing Board has closed its eyes on the information to be shared on strips subsequently allotted. They are concerned with the prescribed period under RTI Act.
All this raises a question mark on both the functioning of the former Chief Vigilance Commissioner (Sarkari) and the then top brass of J&K Housing Board. Shock after Shock. On 03.10.2012 Mr. Vohra who loves to speak on corruption and RTI related matters both in and outside the state and bemoans mal-governance was informed prior to Khoda's elevation as CVC to examine the sent record. But, His Excellency preferred silence as speech is silver and silence is gold. The illegal beneficiary to the detriment of our system became the first Chief Vigilance Commissioner of J&K.Humein Kab Sharam Aayege.
