‘Is the DHA accountable to the government’
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ISLAMABAD: Is the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), a real estate entity of the army, working without any oversight or is it answerable to the federal government?
The Supreme Court (SC) posed this question to the government on Thursday.
The status of the DHA came under discussion during the hearing of a complaint filed against the development of the DHA valley on an area reserved for the lake adjoining the proposed Dadhocha dam.
During the last hearing on July 16, the SC had asked the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to explain why the inquiry into the unauthorised development of a housing scheme on an area reserved for a dam was pending since July 2012.
Justice Khawaja asked why Gen Aziz, who was the vice president of DHA, Islamabad, could ask the Punjab chief minister to relocate the water reservoir meant for millions
Dadhocha was planned for providing water to the residents of the twin cities, said Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, adding the proposed dam was supposed to replace the Rawal dam, the calculated life of which would be over during the current year.
A two-member SC bench, comprising Justice Khawaja and Justice Dost Mohammad, heard the case.
During the course of hearing, the additional prosecutor general NAB, Akbar Tarar, informed the court that the Punjab government had submitted a report which claimed that the controversy over the Dadhocha dam was being addressed.
The report was presented to the court.
The Punjab government in the report says, “Major General Humayun Aziz, vice-president DHA, Islamabad, called on the Chief Minister (Punjab) on March 3, 2015. In the meeting he (DHA VP) expressed his reservation on the construction of a dam on Ling river near village Dadhocha proposed by the irrigation department as a large portion of DHA is likely to be affected by its pond area. He proposed an alternative dam site around three kilometres upstream of village Dadhocha. After discussion, the chief minister directed the secretary irrigation department Punjab to hold a meeting with the VP DHA for resolving this matter.”
The report stated that in a subsequent meeting of Gen Aziz with the secretary irrigation on April 3, it was decided to carry out a feasibility study for an alternate site.
The additional advocate general Punjab, Razzaq A. Mirza, told the bench that the feasibility study would likely be completed by July 31.
After Mirza’s statement, Justice Khawaja recalled that earlier the Punjab government had taken the stance that the site could not be changed. He added that the chief secretary Punjab had twice submitted a report to the court in which the Punjab government had categorically rejected shifting the dam to any other location.
“Prima facie, the change of mind took place after a uniformed general met the chief minister,” remarked Justice Dost Mohammad.
Justice Khawaja asked why Gen Aziz, who was the vice-president of DHA, Islamabad, could ask the chief minister of Punjab to relocate the water reservoir meant for millions of residents of the garrison city.
“Is the DHA answerable to the government or any other authority?” Justice Khawaja asked the additional attorney general (AAG), Amir Rehman, and additional prosecutor general NAB Tarar.
Tarar informed the court that DHA was a statutory organisation and headed by the adjutant general of the army. Both the law officers, however, could not explain if the federal government enjoyed any powers to keep a check on the DHA.
AAG Rehman said under the DHA Act 2013, the authority provides residential facilities to the bereaved families of martyrs, war injured, disabled and the officials of the armed forces.
At this, the bench asked if the federal government could provide details about the allotment of land to the bereaved families, injured and disabled by the DHA in its various housing schemes.
The bench also asked the counsel of the federal government to inform the court whether the DHA was answerable to any authority or not. The matter was then adjourned till August 10 when the government is to provide the information ordered by the court.
Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2015
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Comments (74) Closed
Jul 24, 2015 07:25am
DHA must be streamlined in accordance with laws of land. Good observation by Justice.
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Jul 24, 2015 07:37am
“Is the DHA answerable to the government or any other authority?” Answer is NO ONE
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Jul 24, 2015 07:39am
"the authority provides residential facilities to the bereaved families of martyrs, war injured, disabled and the officials of the armed forces"... Wow
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Jul 24, 2015 08:14am
How dare to question Army?
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Jul 24, 2015 08:30am
It is probably the first time that the DHA and its workings have come under the radar of the superior courts. DHA accounts should be thoroughly audited and made public.
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Jul 24, 2015 08:43am
Seems like 'eent se eent bajaa dengay' is happening now!
every next day army is being targetted, one way or the other.. lol
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Jul 24, 2015 09:07am
How can this country progress if the military powers are as corrupt as the civilian government.
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Jul 24, 2015 09:23am
Simply, NO.
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Jul 24, 2015 09:23am
All are equal before law, so does the DHA and the army. I appreciate the Pakistani Judiciary for working in right direction.
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Jul 24, 2015 09:24am
let the atmosphere of fear end and then address many questions raised.
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Jul 24, 2015 09:29am
Bubbles don’t grow out of thin air. Wait a minute! before going into the affairs of the DHA will Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja have a look in to their own house. Why is Arsalan Ifthikar case is pending since last two years? How is Ex-CJ enjoying perks and privileges including 600 CC Mercedes bomb proof car, a large renovated bungalow and special security, all worth millions of rupees?
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Jul 24, 2015 09:49am
Defence Housing Authorities have given themselves the licence to do whatever suits them. For example, the Navy Farm housing scheme in Bara Kahu, Islamabad is surrounded by tall barbed wire fences. People who had owned land there long before the Navy came, are now cordoned off and denied access to large areas of Bara Kahu. They now have to make long detours to reach places that were previously close by. The autocratic manner in which these Defence Housing Authorities function needs to be checked by the Federal Government. A proper mechanism needs to be put in place for this purpose.
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Jul 24, 2015 09:52am
Thousands of people have been looted in Dha valley fraud. People responsible should be punished and affectees should be compensated.
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Jul 24, 2015 10:08am
An entity which is unrepresentative of the people, unaccountable to the courts of the land and unanswerable to its ministers or legislature is making policies and running our affairs.
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Jul 24, 2015 10:18am
This is funny. "the authority provides residential facilities to the bereaved families of martyrs, war injured, disabled and the officials of the armed forces."
Let us tell total number of soldiers killed in wars with India since 1947. They may reach 20000 total. Total number of soldiers killed in war in tribal areas may reach 5000 with most of them paramilitary forces.
Let us tell how many total plots were carved from land given by provinces for their own duties and how many were given to soldiers killed.
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Jul 24, 2015 10:23am
the onward sale of dha allotted property to a employ should not be saleable. can only be transferred to next of kin otherwise transferred back to dha.
this is a special facility should be only for them.
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Jul 24, 2015 10:29am
No body is seemingly answerable to the govt unless of course so desired by the rulers - federal or provincial. How can the CM put interests of millions of residents of the twin cities at stake is a big ...big question as rightly inquired by the court.
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Jul 24, 2015 10:29am
Whether Jamu and Kashmir Coopertaive Housing society is Accountable to Government, if yes then DHA is also accountable.
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Jul 24, 2015 10:32am
Pakistani citizens have no say in this? What are the people you are electing doing?
China put an end to those kinds of military officer initiatives back in 1996.
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Jul 24, 2015 10:39am
All are equal but some are more than equal. long live the elite of Pakistan.
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Jul 24, 2015 10:42am
And the train project in Lahore is, of course fine as far as SC is concerned. This project will destroy trees and environment. Public property in its route is going to be demolished but the takht e lahore will do great business. So on with it....SC has given decision in favour of the project.
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Jul 24, 2015 10:44am
DHA and Bahria are providing world class living facilities . What is the Government doing to provide affordable housing ???
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Jul 24, 2015 10:56am
The answer is absolutely not. DHA nationwide is independent and not accountable to any one and out of control. Look at the four lane road along the water ways going to phase VIII is built by DOD budget maintained by DOD and the property appreciated value gain for defense employees. Half the Karachi police can be found in DHA @ any given time of the day. Worst of all the price of land is dirt cheap when allotted and one employee can own land in all the DHA schemes. This is a recipe to make money.
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Jul 24, 2015 11:00am
There was also a case in Supreme Court regarding farm houses in Islamabad. These farm houses were allocated for poultry farms etc on cheap rates and now one can see residences of ministers and parliamentarians. Some of them are also being leased for marriage functions of elite class. Shall supreme court ask CDA about these farm houses?
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Jul 24, 2015 11:01am
Corrupt leaders can't withstand pressures from vested interests!
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Jul 24, 2015 11:04am
Yeah for sure, person with a low salary like me can only dream his own house for a family of Five. And what happen to see a single man (investor) purchasing a lot of properties for business only.
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Jul 24, 2015 11:05am
I can only hope / wish Court shall not only ask questions but will make the "uniform" answerable to the claims made.
I think there is only less than one percent land which is given to "Shuhda", against 99% claims made in their name.
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Jul 24, 2015 11:07am
It is simple and elementary,any thing related to army is not answerable to any one... I use to live in an army states and they make their own rules and regulation.we cannot and should never take military intervention off the government.
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Jul 24, 2015 11:07am
The Honourable Chief Justice, should focus on the issue and not turn it into Army versus civilian matter. Be judges , who dispense justice, not spokes person for PML-N.
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Jul 24, 2015 11:08am
Hope this issue does not die out like any other matter that truly impacts a commin man. Fake price hikes in DHA has made it impossible for majority to even dream of owning a house. The prices go up as much hundreds of thousands on monthly basis. And there is no control over it.
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Jul 24, 2015 11:08am
Non of the urdu newspapers reported this case. Malik Riaz of Baharia Town is developer of this controvercial scheme. DHA paid him 62 billion rupees for the purpose. Shahzeb Khanzada in his programe tried to expose the property tycoon yesterday after release of blackmail saga
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Jul 24, 2015 11:11am
Who will bell the cat?
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Jul 24, 2015 11:12am
this exposes the nexus between army & punjab govt on DHA
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Jul 24, 2015 11:12am
DHA is accountable to itself only. DHA karachi is the worst. A desalination plant was bought by the previous administrator and lies in scrap on the beach without runnibg for even a day.
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Jul 24, 2015 11:59am
Why is Supreme Court not taking notice of biggest scam in history of Pak where DHA has collected enormous amount of money by selling DHA valley plots and nothing have been delivere?
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Jul 24, 2015 12:02pm
These DHA's and BAHRIA's are only after profit. They don't care that millions of people would be needing water in the future
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Jul 24, 2015 12:10pm
About time that pointed questions are asked to NAB. Too much going on that needs to be explained. Pakistan has to become a nation where law, order and rules & regulations are respected. Otherwise, it'll be heading towards a banana republic status soon.
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Jul 24, 2015 12:14pm
DHA was energized to enrich military officers by purchasing plots at dirt cheap price an sell @ ten times profit. A officer can own a lot in each DHA scheme in the entire country. Yes DHA is not accountable to any one except themselves / army.
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Jul 24, 2015 12:15pm
DHA is not the only entity run by Army. They have Schools, Private universities, malls, cinemas, marriage halls, restaurants, hotels, bakeries etc as well. Most of the prime land of Lahore, Pindi, Islamabad, Peshwar, Quetta and Karachi is now under the control of the Army But the most interesting point is that most of the DHA schemes are being established on the Federal government land that was taken for Military purposes at throw away prices. Later through amendments it was converted into residential plots and then sold to civilians at exuberant prices.
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Jul 24, 2015 12:22pm
DHA Karachi is fleecing phase-8 plot owners by imposing exuberant development charges. Supreme Court must also take notice of this, why is DHA taxing phase-8 plot owners for such a large amount of development charges? it seems large scale corruption is going on....
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Jul 24, 2015 12:23pm
Every department is answerable to the government no doubt in that, but the point is that why there are always some particular judiciary people who hear cases against security forces and then give irresponsible statments.
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Jul 24, 2015 12:24pm
Could somebody tell me that why acting armed forces personal are allowed to run a business empire. We require professional officers to defend our land and not some part timers. American, European, Chinese and Indian officers are pure professional soldiers while ours do this work on a part time basis. General Aziz is getting the salary from our taxes and then he acting as the DHA chief as well.
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Jul 24, 2015 12:26pm
Dam location to be changed for a housing scheme. This is really outstanding.
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Jul 24, 2015 12:34pm
Be careful SC, you are getting very close to "Hate Speech".
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Jul 24, 2015 12:42pm
The army which is presently cleaning the country from corrupt and dishonest people should set an example by adopting fair play and make itself accountable.
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Jul 24, 2015 12:46pm
this is a good question....
i live in dha lahore... and on of main roads linking to ferozepur roD called khayaban e iqbal has never been made new since 1995!!!!
always Dha just repairs it
punjab govt. cannot make anything here as it comes under cantt board.
at same time new plazas keep coming up
pathetic situation of roads and infrastructure in DHA lhr.
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Jul 24, 2015 12:47pm
The DHA and other lucrative housing schemes for retired army men is bring a very bad name and contempt for army. They know it darn well but no one seems to care when there are vested interests.
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Jul 24, 2015 12:55pm
My money is stuck in DHA Phase 1 Extension, Valley and Homes since 8 years.. WHo's gonna compensate thousands like me for our losses?
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Jul 24, 2015 12:57pm
Would the honourable judges care to declare how many properties they own in DHA?
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Jul 24, 2015 12:59pm
Appalling is the mockery they make of laws! Both DHA and Bahria need to be under control.
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Jul 24, 2015 01:00pm
Who from the rich and powerful is accountable in Pakistan ?
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Jul 24, 2015 01:02pm
no one should be above the law... neither the molvis like lalmasjid guy, nor soldiers or judges even. About time Army's corrupt r brought are punished.
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Jul 24, 2015 01:49pm
Mr honourable judg, would you please mind to look after the bigger scams first where the politicians are involved ??
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Jul 24, 2015 01:59pm
DHA is the biggest land grabbing machine in Pakistan history. No other army in the world run real estate business.
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Jul 24, 2015 02:03pm
Haha. Malik Riaz is not doing anything?
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Jul 24, 2015 02:11pm
Naked corruption, higher than civilians.
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Jul 24, 2015 02:21pm
We are a nation of failed planning. When we failed to construct Kalabagh Dam and suffer electric-power load-shedding since ages, what is a small Dadhocha Dam in comparison?
Engineering means finding answers through ingenuity. As an engineer, I must find unlimited answers to a technical problem, leaving it to the Government to pick up the most appropriate to its needs and pocket.
Rawal Dam is due to outlive its technical life but, it can always be upgraded at a minimal cost if the will of the Government is there. But, the all too intelligent for selfish reasons politicians will never allow a simple and highly economical solution of "Raising the embankments of Rawal Dam and reinforcing the spillway gates and structures". This can be accomplished in just a fraction of the cost of Dadhocha Dam, without involving any land compensation and building a new dam. This would also solve the DHA needs, leaving its other involvements to take their own due process.
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Jul 24, 2015 02:24pm
“Prima facie, the change of mind took place after a uniformed general met the chief minister,”..... Is it not always thus in Pakistan where Governments govern for the benefit of the few over the needs of many.
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Jul 24, 2015 02:26pm
Army is like a mother to army people only.
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Jul 24, 2015 02:32pm
@salaar khan DHA has occupied the land of a dam and you are asking why supreme court is hearing the case against security forces and giving irresponsible statements. WOW
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Jul 24, 2015 02:37pm
Salute to SC for passing relevant order. Everyone should be made accountable and responsible.
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Jul 24, 2015 02:42pm
@Kamran false there are DHAs across the globe owned by armies.
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Jul 24, 2015 02:47pm
DHA and Bahira has created a unseen chaos in the society where a normal man cant even think about buying himself a reasonable accommodation. The real estate is flooded with some black money of Zardari era and hiked the prices beyond a common man grasp. Only investors play this gamble game and create a bubble to benefit. Where is accountability......where are moral values.............??? Nowhere..........??
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Jul 24, 2015 02:53pm
It's not just the DHA, they're after every viable business option. The richest and oldest players of this corrupt system. But too sacrosanct to be talked about.
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Jul 24, 2015 02:57pm
NAB proceeds at blazing speed against the corrupt politicos in Sindh....but when it comes to Khakis - The investigation in the matter seems to be pending since July 2012. Bravo!!
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Jul 24, 2015 03:48pm
more pertinent: is the DHA accountable to anyone?
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Jul 24, 2015 03:50pm
If DHA was accountable to any other agency/authority, the story would have been quite different. Poor development at exorbitant cost, neglect of civic aminities, shortage of power and water, broken and dark roads with overflowing sewerage would have not been so common a characterstic. If you do not believe, visit DHA Karachi.
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Jul 24, 2015 03:54pm
Very valid observations by learned Supreme court judges.Why in Pakistan armed forces have been allowed to create real estate empire? why their illegal demands such as change of a dam location is being accommodated by chief minister Punjab. Just look at our neighboring country India, how they keep under check their armed forces.Not long ago, during previous government Indian army chief sought an interview from prime minister, he was bitterly snubbed, and was asked to apply through proper channel via secretary defence.Later it was reported even his request for interview was turned down.It is my humble view our nation needs a leader like Joseph Stallin, who was able to purge all segments of society including powerful army generals.
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Jul 24, 2015 04:59pm
DHA must be answerable to the civil government. DHA is a commercial venture and Military should distance itself as institute from such business.
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Jul 24, 2015 06:42pm
What has the Government done to provide world class and affordable housing to the citizens ?
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Jul 24, 2015 08:44pm
I was a commissioned officer of Pakistan navy for 31 years.DHA did not allot me any plot. DHA is mainly meant for giving plot to generals. Smaller beings are given peanuts. Every General ,who retires is at least worth 20=30 crores. Courage of judges are appreciated.
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Jul 24, 2015 08:46pm
Solution: Annex the DHA in KMC and take all the power from DOD. Look how much of the tax revenue is diverted to DHA. DHA takes the resources from Karachi Metro and shares nothing. Take a walk on Karachi DHA streets & one will feel like walking in different city. No credit goes to DHA management. It is the tax money abuse at its best by the powerful.
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Jul 25, 2015 02:42am
Most are privately owned and the DHA like Bahria are financial success stories. What is the federal government itself doing for affordable public housing?
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Jul 25, 2015 09:20am
the solution, disband all DHAs, hand over the management to the municipal corporations, so that we all live in same kind of slums forever. And yes let's indulge in petty matters and leave the real issues
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