The CID naming IAS officer and former VUDA Vice-Chairman and GVMC Commissioner V.N. Vishnu in its FIR, has brought into focus again the unauthorised construction of an apartment complex at Sector II of MVP Colony.

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has issued building plan approval for construction of an apartment complex in an area earmarked for community purpose. The GVMC authorities contended that VUDA being a higher authority on the proceedings (of allotment of land) given by it, building plan approvals have been given.

The CBI probed the irregularities in the allotment after a High Court direction. Mr. Vishnu who was transferred from his position as Municipal Commissioner came and deposed before the CBI. Subsequently, the investigation was taken over by the CID. The Vigilance and Enforcement wing also probed the irregularities in VUDA and submitted a report to the government.

Though VUDA allotted the land, the ownership of the land could have been verified by GVMC officials who prepared the proposals for approval of building plan. It was learnt that Mr. Vishnu noted “approved” on the file.

Files seized

All the files relating to allotment in Survey No 5p and 6p were seized by CBI and are now with the CID.

With the investigation now also focussing on the role of GVMC employees, mainly the City Planning Department, it is now expected that the actual investigation will zero in on who signed on the papers at various stages leading to the final approval by Mr. Vishnu. “Merely shifting the blame to VUDA is not justified. It’s incumbent on the GVMC employees to verify the ownership,” an official said.

VUDA had stopped pension of two of its retired administrative officers and suspended a senior assistant after irregularities came out.

Meanwhile, the residents association has demanded that the land be restored to it so that it could be used for community purpose.

MVP Colony Residents’ Welfare Association general secretary P. Satya Kumar demanded that the 4,114 square yards be restored to the association. “All the 12 sectors of MVP Colony has one big kalyanamantapam, that of the TTD. The space is meant to be used for public purpose like a play ground or a park.

The entire process of illegally allotting the land and the apartment complex coming up there has deprived MVP Colony residents of land which should genuinely belong to them,” said Mr. Kumar.

While the land was allotted at a throwaway price of Rs.3,500 a square yard, each apartment was sold at Rs.40 lakh, he alleged. Either the building should be razed or alternate land given to us, he demanded. The construction of the building raised up to five floors was stopped after the controversial allotment.

However, the association vice-president P.S. Raju said none should be made to lose in the process.

People have borrowed from banks and put in their hard-earned money in it to buy apartments. VUDA and GVMC, both are under the State government and had given all the permissions. It’s for the government to resolve the issue, he said.