ACC calls for fair selection process for flats

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has advised Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure and Housing Development Corporation for a fair selection process among all eligible applicants for the flats built by Tata in Male’ as part of the housing project - Veshifahi Male’ Program.

ACC said it had noted violations from the official policy used by Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure for the selection process of Veshifahi Male’ Program.

It said that there had been violations of the rights of some of the 266 people who were guaranteed they would be receiving housing three years back.

ACC said that given the violations, it had instructed both Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure and HDC to issue flats to the original 266 people who were provided guarantee they would be receiving apartments from the flats.

ACC had given the instructions after its investigation to a complaint filed over issued with the draw to select who would be receiving apartments in the Tata flats in Gaa Koshi and former Arabiyya School.

The commission noted that there had been no mention of a five-year payment period when the 266 people were presented with documents upon being selected for the flats, three years ago.

And that the letter by Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure informing the tenants that the price of the flats was MVR 2 million, and that priority would be given to those who are able to pay the amount within five years was received by 228 of the people, while 38 people had not received the letter for various reasons and only 18 of those who received the letter responded to it.

ACC said the list of 149 people by the ministry which it claims to be people who are able to make the payment within five years included those who cannot.

The commission said that though the ministry’s staff claimed they provided opportunity to submit detailed payment plans, some of the requests of clarification of information sent to the ministry had gone unattended, violating their right to make a decision on whether or not they will be able to make the payment.

ACC said that since HDC had now made available more convenient payment plans for the flats, it had asked both Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure and HDC to carry out the selection in such a way that it did not infringe upon the rights of people who were originally given confirmation they would be receiving the flats.

ACC made the instructions last Tuesday, October 11.