HDC denies any misappropriations in Thilafushi plots
HDC urged the media to verify information with HDC before reporting news related to the company.
By
Shahudha Mohamed
The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has issued a statement stating that some media outlets on Sunday carried a story about the allotment of land for commercial purposes, saying it was done fraudulently. The HDC asserted that it was done in accordance with the rules.
According to media reports, the allotment of land from Thilafushi for industrial purposes was opened to the public after the government had first given land at cheaper rates to those it wanted. Citing an informed source, the news read:
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The land was opened for rent after previously allocating land at a cheap rate to those connected to government officials
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The lands were allotted for letters without any announcement or bids; the land was given to these applicants at MVR 5 per acre
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However, the land is allocated at MVR 8 per acre following the announcement; other rates for land allocated under the announcement are also twice as high
In a statement issued in response to the news, the company urged the media to provide accurate information on business transactions between HDC and customers.
According to the HDC:
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Land is leased for commercial purposes through the normal Expression of Interest (EOI) process
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As part of the process, the corporation is allocating land to all businesses in the order they express interest
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The prices fixed for the land lease are those endorsed by the HDC Board
Therefore, HDC urged the media to verify information with HDC before reporting news related to the company.
