PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The leader of opposition in Vidhan Sabha Yashpal Arya has said that the State government should dissolve the district development authorities as they have become a haven of corruption.
He said that the purpose of setting up the DDAs was to benefit people by hassle free approval of the maps of the buildings. Today, the DDAs are working against the basic purpose for which they were created and instead of helping the people, they are harassing them by complicating the process, he said.
Arya said that the DDAs have also become centres of extortion and are a curse for the poor.
He alleged that instead of taking action on the corrupt officials the State government is giving protection to them. Arya added that in minor works involving some construction works by poor, unemployed and common citizens the authorities seal the property without assigning any reason. In recent times, the BJP leaders are also accepting that the officials are demanding a bribe of Rs two lakh for map approval by threatening to seal their houses.
The LoP said that there are many officers who have been posted in the districts for years. “Whether it is Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital and any other district, a planned and protected corruption is thriving in the district development authorities,’’ he said.
Arya added that earlier, the maps were approved by the municipal council and the process there was easier for the people. He said that the government should immediately dissolve the development authorities as they have completely failed for the purpose they were created.
