SARGODHA, Nov 7: The widely-publicized auction of residential-cum-commercial plots in Model Town scheme by the Improvement Trust (SIT) chairman has reportedly been stopped on the directive of the Punjab chief minister who expressed his displeasure over the publication of auction notice with his picture.

As per reports, the SIT had launched the Model Town residential scheme in 1990-91. Between 1993 and 2001, the SIT officials disposed of various plots at Rs3,500 per marla and collected over Rs100 million besides a huge amount under the head of gas provision. But the SIT officials instead of clearing outstanding dues of Rs16.527 million of the Revenue department spent the entire amount on the construction of the Trust Plaza. Consequently, the Sargodha district officer (revenue) cancelled the allotment of 2,647 kanals and 10 marla state land at Chak 85-SB and took its possession on Sept 6, 2002.

The SIT had challenged the confiscation of land before the EDO (R), but he cast away their claim. Afterwards, it filed revision petition before the member, Board of Revenue. The SIT chairman had reportedly promised to make payment within a couple of months and proceedings are still pending with the member judicial.

SIT chairman Dr Liaquat Ali Khan had announced the auction of 399 plots of one kanal, 92 plots of seven marla and over 100 plots of five marla at the rate of Rs12,000 per marla. This was despite of the fact that better land was available in the vicinity at the same rate.

The residential scheme consisted of 18 squares of land with 1,100 plots of one kanal, 70 plots of 10 marla, 88 plots of seven marla and 613 plots of five marla.

To lure the buyers, the SIT chairman planned to sell the remaining plots by displaying his picture along with the Punjab chief minister's. However, the local government secretary reportedly took serious notice of this alleged malpractice and asked him to stop using the name and picture of the chief minister.

The auction was due on Nov 8 (today), but the Sargodha tehsildar on Saturday warned the public to refrain from participating in the auction. The tehsildar clarified that the SIT was not entitled to sell the land which had already been forfeited by the government.

Over 100 plots of one kanal each and others were allegedly transferred to various people by using fake signatures of former deputy commissioner Hamid Ali Khan. Moreover, each plot has reportedly been allotted to more than one person by former senior accountant Saifullah Khalid, Mirza Daud, Mirza Idrees and other employees. They allegedly minted huge sums of money in this illegal dealing.

About 70 allottees have now moved the civil court and obtained stay orders. It is alleged that they have managed to file suits with the connivance of SIT officials. Sadaqat Ali Khan and Fakir Ali Khan, relatives of the SIT chairman, have filed civil suits after 10 years to get four shops under the occupation of SIT officials. They are allegedly favoured by SIT employees. Though their suits were dismissed by lower courts, they filed appeals which were still pending, an official requesting anonymity claimed.

The allottees alleged that planners had claimed that a safari park would be an added attraction in a model housing scheme, some seven kilometres from the city. As of now, the SIT has not handed over the possession to any allottee.

On a visit to the site, this correspondent found not only the roads and sewerage system in shambles but also the water supply system in poor state. It was learnt that a contractor belonging to the PPP had laid the sewerage line with substandard material during the Benazir government.

People lodged complaints with the anti-corruption department but it failed to take any action for its employees also got allotted over two dozen plots. However, their allotments were also reportedly proved fake later on. When the anti-corruption officials built up pressure on Saifullah, he allegedly committed suicide.

Although this scheme is alleged to have flopped, the SIT employees have been getting salaries since long without doing any work. At least Rs60 million have so far been disbursed among the employees during the last few years.

The affected people have demanded a probe through a high court judge by suspending the officials concerned who 'looted' their hard-earned money.

A SIT official alleged that Dr Liaquat misused his authority and shifted the SIT account to banks of his choice to avail personal benefits. He further alleged that Dr Liaquat got employed some people in these banks, causing huge losses to the SIT.

When contacted, Dr Liaquat said that he planned to make the dead scheme operative and also decided to deposit the outstanding dues with the revenue department.

Refuting allegations levelled against him by various allottees, he said that if any employee had committed corruption, he would meet his fate. He, however, said that if someone's right had been infringed upon he should move court for the redressal of his grievances.

He said he was ready to face any inquiry as he was not guilty. He said though the appeal was pending before the BoR member, the order of DO (R) for forfeiture of the land had been suspended and SIT was entitled to dispose of plots.

Dr Liaquat said that if the SIT suffered any loss due to intervention of some agency of the district government, that very agency would be responsible for bearing all losses.

It may be mentioned that the SIT has completed various schemes, including Iqbal Colony, Trust Plaza, Truck Stand, General Bus Stand, but not without corruption scandals.

Its four class employees are enjoying luxurious life in spacious bungalows.