No auction of DDA's MIG/HIG flats, back to 'lottery' system

New Delhi, June 30 (UNI) In view of pressure from elected representatives in the national capital, Union Urban Development Ministry Jaipal Reddy today decided to cancel the move to auction Delhi Development Authority Middle and Higher Income Group flats in the city and revert to the lottery mode.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor B L Joshi, who is also DDA Chairperson, telephoned me on June 28 and conveyed to me the sentiments of the elected members of authority against the proposal to auction MIG and HIG DDA flats, he said in a statement.

At the request of the LG, I received two elected members of DDA yesterday who also pleaded against the auction mode, he added.

''In view of the strong sentiments of the elected members of DDA, it is appropriate to revert to the lottery mode,'' Mr Reddy said.

DDA was being informed accordingly, the mininster added.

Yesterday, Congress MLA Mahabal Mishra and Municipal Councillor Virender Kasana had handed over a representation to Mr Reddy opposing the ministry's decision to auction the flats.

The two, who were also elected DDA members, met the minister at his office here, to hand over the representation.

In their representation, the two state Congress leaders said the decision was anti-people and it should be withdrawn immediately.

The representation was being considered, the minister had said.

Earlier, BJP MLA Mange Ram Garg, also a DDA member, had opposed the decision and demanded the Prime Minister's intervention.

This decision should not be implemented and the flats should be alloted to to people who had booked for these by making payment, he added.

The representation had come after all four non-official DDA members - Mr Mishra, Mr Kasana, Mr Garg and another Congress Jile Singh Chauhan - had walked out of a meeting at DDA on June 28 opposing the decision to auction flats instead of allotment through draw of lots, saying the decision had been taken 'bypassing' the DDA and the Delhi Lt Governor.

Later, the four met the LG and urged him to speak to Mr Reddy on the issue.

UNI IP VD GC1448