The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has pulled up the Haryana government for irregularities in releasing land to private builders and individuals.
The state government also extended wrongful benefit of Rs 6.5 crore paid as compensation to ineligible candidates, the auditor found.
In its report on social, general and economic sectors of Haryana tabled in the state assembly recently, CAG noted that inadequate planning in issuance of licences to private developers, Haryana Urban Development Authority could not develop the area according to the plan.
CAG found that after starting the proceedings for acquiring land for a public purpose, a major part of land was released to the developers, “indicating ill planning.”
The Government had approved acquisition of 850 acre land by urban estates department for Rs 831.48 crore in December 2010. “Only 491 acres of land could be considered for announcement of award as the balance area was under consideration of High Power Committee for the grant of licences to developers,” the audit report said.
Besides, the auditor found that the state government incurred an excess expenditure of Rs 2.26 crore in the purchase of 337 Tata make bus chassis.
Tata had quoted a price of Rs 9.77 lakh per chassis in June 2010. Later in November 2010, after negotiations with the high powered purchase committee Tatas had brought down the rate to Rs 9.31 lakh per chassis.
However CAG found that in a letter to director general state transport (DGST) on September 3, 2010 Tata had offered to bring down the rate to Rs 8.64 lakh. CAG has criticized DGST for withholding the new quoted rates because of which the committee could not take “judicious decision” and incurred an extra expenditure.
