NEW DELHI: Municipal Commissioner A.K. Nigam on Wednesday accepted there have been some complaints regarding irregularities in the allotment of plots at the upcoming dairy colony at Ghogha in Narela in North-West Delhi.

Informing that the civic body has stopped further allotment of plots at the site spread in 180 acres, Mr. Nigam said a detailed inquiry has already been instituted into the matter and those found guilty would be severely penalised.

Raising the issue at the MCD Standing Committee meeting, Congress Councillor from Yamuna Vihar Shrish Chand Tiwari alleged that property dealers and people with fake names were being allotted land at Ghogha that was meant for unauthorised dairy owners who were to be relocated as per a court direction.

Alleging that the civic body's Veterinary Officer in-charge of the project was conniving with property dealers and unscrupulous elements, Mr. Tiwari said the land was supposed to be allotted on first-come-first-serve basis, but so far allocation process was unfair.

"Several plots, including some at prime locations, have been allotted to property dealers and unscrupulous elements," he added.

It was in 2003 that the court had directed the civic body to get city roads and colonies rid of stray cattle by relocating around 2,800 illegal dairies spread across the Capital. Subsequently, the Delhi Government gave land to the MCD at Ghogha and asked to relocate all dairies.

However, the issue allotment of plots has been controversial since the beginning.

As per the MCD estimates, there were nearly 35,000 cows and buffaloes in these unauthorised dairies, but the civic body officials were surprised to receive applications for allotment of land for as many as 50,000 cows and buffaloes.

It was then revealed that some people from the neighbouring townships and land sharks were trying to get land allotted in Ghogha.

However, senior MCD officials claim that it was not fair to say that there was bungling in the land allotment process"Now we are only allotting lands, but its possession will be given over only after thorough verification of applicants. It is during the verification process that we will cancel allotments of fake applicants," said a senior MCD official.

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