FEDERAL Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) has decided to construct 12,000 apartments in different cities of the country, which would be allotted to the existing members. Fifty percent apartments each are meant for those who got themselves registered as members in Membership Drive-I and Drive-II but the members are required to deposit one hundred thousand rupees along with consent forms to become eligible for the purpose.
The decision to construct twelve thousand apartments is a step in the right direction if seen in the backdrop of growing demand for houses in the country. It would also help supplement the campaign of the Government to add five million houses under Prime Minister’s Naya Pakistan Housing Programme. However, the logic of asking a hefty fee of one hundred thousand from the existing members, who had already deposited 25,000 to 100,000 rupees as membership fee is not comprehendible. The Authority charged heavy registration or membership fee on the plea that it would be adjusted in instalments at the time of allotment and therefore, only consent should suffice. It has been observed that the Authority has a track record of launching membership drives and seeking consent or application forms from members after regular intervals just to mint money. It has miserably failed to provide any plot or flat to any allottee during the last several years and almost all of its projects have become controversial and progress on them is blocked for one reason or the other. It is also alleged that there is no genuine interest on the part of the Authority to remove hurdles in the way of implementation of already launched projects and more applications are invited for new projects just to shore up its finances but without doing any practical work on ground. The pathetic condition of roads, streets and absence of basic facilities like water, electricity, gas and sanitation in Authority-managed sectors/sub-sectors in Islamabad also speaks volumes about performance of the institution. The present Government, which believes in the highest standards of transparency and fairness, should take serious notice of such gimmicks that tantamount to fleecing the government servants on the hollow promises of allotments.
