CBI raids Housing Board office; unearths land scam

PUDUCHERRY: CBI has unearthed a scam in allotment of plots and sale of flats by a section of officials of the Puducherry Housing Board during a raid at it office near here, police said.

A seven member team of CBI officials from Chennai conducted a surprise check at the office of the 35-year-old Housing Board at Nellithope yesterday following complaints of 'violations of rules relating to allotment of housing plots and flats', police said.

During the course of checking of files and also other documents in the office, CBI found that there was a 'big scam' in allotment of plots and also sale of flats by a section of Board officials, the sources said.

The team also conducted raids on the residences of the officials,allegedly involved the scam.They were also questioned and documents relating to sale seized.

Around 50 housing plots and also those demarcated as 'public reserve plots' were allegedly sold at rates that were far below the market value, causing huge financial loss to the government.