PAN, March 28, 2013

Faryab governor alleges illegal land distribution

He claimed the Dawlatabad municipality, which had unlawfully allotted hundreds of acres of governmental land, did not have its own building so far

By Qutbuddin Kohi

The governor of northern Faryab province on Thursday accused the local authorities of illegally distributing governmental land to people of his choice, leaving few plots for offices.

Governor Mohammadullah Batash, addressing a foundation-laying ceremony for the justice department building, alleged: “Most of government-owned land has been gifted away to undeserving individuals.”

Little attention had been paid to construction of buildings for government departments, most of which were operating in rented house, he said, blaming the municipality and other departments for failing to address the issue.

He claimed the Dawlatabad municipality, which had unlawfully allotted hundreds of acres of governmental land, did not have its own building so far. He has referred a case against the district mayor to provincial prosecutors.

But Khudai Rahim Bekzad, the district mayor, told Pajhwok Afghan News his predecessors might have distributed state land to the people. He confirmed that the district municipality had no proper building.

Funded by the justice ministry, the five-storey building would be constructed in a year at a cost of $ 821,815 (44,000,000 afs). The project would facilitate visitors and help enhance the department’s performance.

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