The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has flagged a loss of ₹469 crore to the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) between 2017–18 and 2021–22, attributing it to administrative lapses, poor planning and weak financial management. The findings were tabled in the state Assembly on Friday, revealing significant gaps in land acquisition, housing targets and revenue recovery.
Land Acquisition and Plot Allotment Failures
The audit noted that GDA was required to arrange 300 hectares of land for residential and industrial development during the period but acquired only 18.32 hectares. Property sales also remained extremely low, ranging between one and five per cent for houses. Of the developed plots created between 2017 and 2022, only 11 to 50 per cent were allotted. The report pointed out irregularities in allotments made through auction and “first-come, first-served” schemes, including failure to carry forward unsold properties to subsequent allotment cycles.
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EWS Housing and PMAY Shortfalls
Housing targets for economically weaker sections (EWS) saw major shortfalls. Against a target of 25,000 houses, only 9,960 were constructed — just 40 per cent of the goal. Under integrated and hi-tech township policies, private developers were required to build 20 per cent EWS housing. By March 2022, only 2,133 of the mandated 6,382 units were completed, and no action was taken against defaulting builders.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, GDA was tasked with building 45,000 houses but completed only 20,173. Construction on 5,801 units was still ongoing as of March 2024, indicating persistent delays.
Financial Management Lapses Exposed
The CAG also identified multiple financial management failures. These included loss of ₹73.87 crore in interest due to non-utilisation of the auto-sweep facility in nine savings accounts and ₹64.27 crore from failure to levy interest on outstanding loans. Administrative charges of ₹21.86 crore were not recovered from builders, while land cost and land-use conversion charges remained uncollected.
Irregular payments of ₹23.91 crore were made to contractors, and ₹105.58 crore was spent on incomplete works. Infrastructure charges amounting to ₹154.02 crore were not imposed on 422 allottees. Additionally, underassessment of infrastructure development and map approval fees resulted in an undue benefit of ₹25.69 crore to beneficiaries.
The audit underscores systemic weaknesses in project execution, revenue enforcement and regulatory oversight within the authority. It also highlights the need for stricter monitoring of developers, improved financial controls and timely land acquisition to meet urban housing and industrial development goals.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
