Flats Under ‘Gedhoruveriya’  Allocation to Begin Next Week, Says Housing Minister

Minister of Housing, Land and Urban Development Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed announced that the allocation of flats for 20 percent of applicants listed as recipients of the initial 4,000 units under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ housing scheme, as deemed eligible by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), will commence next week.

This decision follows the Anti-Corruption Commission’s declaration of eligibility for these applicants.

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In a recent development, the ACC disclosed that over 60 percent of applicants on the list were found to be ineligible after investigating complaints of irregularities in the allocation process. Only slightly over 20 percent were deemed eligible, while the remainder were found to be eligible but had incomplete form submissions.

During his address to the Parliament’s National Development and Heritage Committee, Haidar highlighted a delay in the issuance process due to the Housing Ministry’s lack of access to the ‘Gedhoruverin’ portal, necessary for processing eligible applicants identified by the ACC. Haidar informed the committee that the ACC had assured access to the portal within a few days after creating a backup.

Efforts are underway to expedite the issuance of flats to eligible applicants as soon as access is granted, with plans to verify eligibility through an independent committee. Haidar anticipates commencing the allocation process for the 824 eligible applicants next week and completing it within a fortnight.

Addressing concerns regarding ineligible applicants, Haidar affirmed that they would not receive flats, despite their inclusion on the recipient list. He emphasised the ministry’s authority to nullify agreements with ineligible parties.

The ACC’s scrutiny of the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme stems from 325 complaints received regarding the allocation of the initial 4,000 flats, developed by the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) in Hulhumale’. The ACC had previously halted flat issuance due to reported irregularities but lifted the suspension on February 1, instructing the Housing Ministry to adhere to specific guidelines during the allocation process.

Additionally, the ACC has initiated an investigation into potential irregularities in the allocation of land under the ‘Binveriya’ scheme, another housing initiative launched in the previous administration.