ISLAMABAD: The city managers have set another example of ‘favouritism’ by restoring a commercial plot in G9 Markaz that was cancelled 24 years ago, a document regarding the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Board’s recent decision has revealed.

It said that the plot has been restored for the second time by violating relevant rules and regulations of the civic body and on nominal charges. According to the rules, the bidder has to pay present market price of the plot, which has been estimated at Rs 134 million. The CDA approved its restoration by collecting only Rs 50.5 million.

The plot was restored despite resistance from some of the officials of the CDA’s Estate Management Wing, sources in the CDA said. According to the sources, the CDA had auctioned plot No 34A, in G9 Markaz, on October 27, 1988, to Niaz Ahmed Zahid. He had offered the highest bid (Rs 3.861 million) at the rate of Rs 13,900 per sq yard.

Under the CDA rules and regulations the successful bidder deposited almost Rs 1 million as advance money and rest of the amount was to be paid in 60 days. The bidder could not pay the remaining money and as a result the authority cancelled the plot. Ahmed applied for the restoration of the plot on July 28, 2010. The CDA, in its meeting on October 18, 2010, restored it, according to the document.

The board in the light of prevalent restoration policy and advise of law wing restored the plot at a cost Rs 50.55 million and the money was to be paid in 30 days. However, 30 days deadline again lapsed and the plot was cancelled.

It has been learnt that the original bidder gave power of attorney to some other persons who pursued the case and managed to get restored the pot for the second time from the CDA board on March 7, 2012. The sources said that the CDA board waived off restoration charges and delayed payment charges after which the cost of the plot has cut down to almost 50 percent. However, according to the restoration policy present market price of the plot was to be paid.

According to a CDA official, during the proceedings of the board it was observed that such cancellation by a deputy director in 2010 estate management directorate was not according to rules and in contravention of Supreme Court’s judgment (No 99, PLD 2004) and also without approval of the competent authority. It was further revealed that member finance has already granted four months extension in payment so the issue of cancellation does not stand merit.

The board decided that the bidder will deposit the total premium plus restoration charges as already decided by CDA Board on October 28, 2010 plus delayed charges for the period January 23, 2011 to June 22, 2012, within 60 days from the issuance of restoration letter.

When contacted, CDA Spokesman Ramzan Sajid said he was not aware of the issue and could not comment on it. CDA’s Member Estate Khalid Mirza, however, speaking to Daily Times said he did not have details of the case in his mind, adding that he however had nothing to do with the fixing of cost of the plot. “I only check whether the case falls in the CDA’s restoration policy or not,” he added.