Allegations have surfaced about irregularities in one of the housing projects under the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) in the city.
According to reports, apartments constructed by a private building company were sold to armed forces personnel at higher rate.
In 1987, AWHO had started proceedings for setting up a housing project near Tripunithura. Even after 25 years, the project did not materialise. Later the organisation decided to buy an apartment complex, which was under construction, from a private builder and hand over the same to the armed forces personnel, the report said. It has been pointed out that a complaint has also been registered in this regard.
The Army Headquarters said that they have not received any complaint regarding the project. Generally, the Army carries out regular performance audits of these organisations for functional improvement. Currently, there are two projects going on in Kerala. A `30-crore project is in an advanced stage of completion, while the second one, a `100- crore project is in the initial stages, officials said.
Official sources with the AWHO refuted allegations surrounding the project. A complaint regarding the project has already been examined, they pointed out. “The housing project at Vaduthala was sold at a price of `2274 per sq ft. For a major project at Vaduthala, which is hardly 1.2 kms from Marine Drive, the rate is at least 30 percent cheaper than the prevailing market rate. The housing project has all major facilities including club house. The buyers do not have any issues. A complaint raised was examined in detail. When the new Army Chief took over, he undertook a performance audit for organisations including AWHO,” sources said.
The attempts to elicit an official response from the private builder were unsuccessful. “Any clarification on the issue should be sought from the AWHO office. We are not authorised to speak about the project,” an official said.