NEW DELHI: The issue of allotment of plots to dairy owners at Ghogha in Narela by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has created serious divisions between the deliberative and administrative wings of the civic body. While the administrative wing has stated that all was well with the land allotment process, Councillors have alleged large-scale bungling in land allotment, forcing Standing Committee Chairman Jai Kishan Sharma to order a vigilance probe into the whole issue.

Cutting across party lines, Councillors have alleged that property dealers, people with fake names and those related to MCD employees were fraudulently being allotted land at Ghogha meant for unauthorised dairy owners who are to be relocated as per a court direction. They had also alleged that the civic body officials were not taking the court order seriously by not allotting a 180-acre land in North-West Delhi to around 2,800 illegal dairy owners across the Capital.

Raising the issue at the MCD Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday, Congress Councillors Sanjay Puri and Shrish Chand Tiwari alleged more than 500 plots had been allotted to property dealers, land mafia and the kin of MCD officials. They also presented some documents claiming that an MCD officer working in the Audit Department of Narela zone was among those illegally allotted a plot.

"The civic body has already allotted plots to fake people without any verification. Soon lands will be handed over to them, yet again jeopardising a public welfare project in the Capital," alleged senior BJP Councillor Vijender Gupta.

However, the MCD officials in-charge of the project claimed that not a single applicant has been given possession of land as verification process is yet to begin. "Verification of applicants will be done by an authorised agency along with zonal veterinary staff. The land for relocating illegal dairies is being allotted on first-come-first-serve basis and only genuine people are being given allotment letter," said Municipal Commissioner A.K. Nigam, adding that the entire process was being done under the court's supervision.

Mr. Sharma ordered a vigilance probe into the issue. He directed the MCD administration to place a report at the next Standing Committee meeting and complete the probe within 15 days.

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