The Managing Director of Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed has denied any wrongdoing in handing over Hulhumale’ land plots under the previous government’s Binveriyaa Scheme.
Fazul’s statement comes in response to reports from some local media suggesting that HDC handed over land plots to individuals who were not recipients of the land plots under the scheme.
At a press conference held Wednesday, Fazul said the recipients of the Binveriyaa Scheme are not determined by HDC, but by the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development. He emphasised that HDC has not issued any land plots to any individuals not recognised as recipients by the Housing Ministry.
“We believe those who apply [for services] via our portal are those who hold the registries to that particular plot. We issue boundary permits based on this assumption, and we initiate a verification process for this service,” Fazul explained.
Further emphasising that the land plots currently under scrutiny had initially been flagged and reported to relevant authorities by HDC, Fazul said the corporation identified two problematic land plots and sought investigation from the Housing Ministry on its own initiative. He provided a timeline of the requests made to and responses received from the Ministry.
“The initial request for a permit for plot number 20768 was received on 30 June. After that, on 17 July, we received a second request, and we relayed the information to the Housing Ministry on 24 July. We received a response [from the Ministry] on 15 August. As for plot number 20821, we received the first request for a permit on 19 July, and the second on 17 July. We sought verification from the Housing Ministry on 22 July, and received a response on 15 August,” Fazul clarified regarding the two plots in question.
While the police are investigating allegations of unintended recipients receiving land plots, Fazul stressed that the HDC is fully cooperating with authorities. He further asserted that the HDC had not violated any laws.
Addressing rumours suggesting that he personally benefited from the land allocations, Fazul said the rumors are nothing but false narratives spread by those seeking political gain. He assured the public that he had not committed any actions for which he was not prepared to account for.