Another scam? Luxury flats for babus cheaper than LIG homes

CHENNAI: As one housing scam just dies down in Tamil Nadu, another controversy has surfaced — this time involving a scheme for IAS and IPS officers. Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) has proposed to sell nearly 1,000 flats in Nerkundram , about a kilometre from the Koyambedu market in Chennai , to several IAS and IPS officers at concessional rates.

While it can be argued that government employees are eligible for housing board flats at cost price, the apparent discrepancies and discrimination in the scheme have evoked criticism among activists. Officers are being offered high-end flats at prices cheaper than those for low income group (LIG) flats. Last December, TOI had reported how TNHB had allotted plots to judges, legislators and bureaucrats close to the powers that be under the government discretionary quota.

The latest controversy relates to 'Own Your Housing Scheme at Nerkundram' , proposed under Section 41 of the TNHB Act 1961 to build 1,016 flats in 17 acres of land, estimated to be worth Rs 445 crore.

They include 608 flats for All India Service (AIS) members, including IAS and IPS officers, 120 flats for Group I officers and 288 LIG flats for other government servants.