IAS Officers in Hospitality Scam: Can they be trusted ever to deliver?

Press Trust of India, Monday August 10, 2009, Lucknow
Three IAS and 16 officers of Uttar Pradesh government were on Monday suspended for their alleged involvement in allocation of plots in Noida for construction of five star hotels causing a loss of over Rs 4,700 crore to the state exchequer, even as the UP government said that an enquiry into the matter is on.

The suspension was ordered by Chief Minister Mayawati, who also directed that FIRs be lodged against them and legal proceedings initiated.

"The Chief Minister also directed to probe the delay in taking action against these officers and present a report to her," senior officials said.

In 2006, the Noida Authority had allotted 14 plots to hotels at the rate of Rs 7,400 per square meter much lower than the market rate of Rs 1.69 lakh per sq mt causing loss of Rs 4,721.14 crore to the state exchequer, they said.

The officers suspended included former Chairman Noida Authority Rakesh Bahadur, former CEO of the Authority Rajiv Saran and ACEO Ravindra Nayak - all IAS officers, official sources said in Lucknow.

The then Divisional Commissioner, Meerut, Devdutt, a retired IAS officer, will face legal proceedings in connection with the scam, they said.
UP plot scam