Haryana State Information Commission Directs HSIIDC to Make NRI Plot-Owners List Public
In a move towards transparency, the Haryana State Information Commission has instructed the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) to publish its list of NRI plot-owners in Gurgaon on its official website. This directive comes in response to multiple Right to Information (RTI) applications filed by a Gurgaon-based activist seeking details on plot allocations under the NRI quota.
Background
- The initial RTI application was filed in March by an industrialist, which was met with an unsatisfactory response from HSIIDC officials stating that the data was not readily available.
- Following this, the applicant submitted four additional RTI applications, none of which elicited the desired response from HSIIDC.
- The matter was then appealed to the Haryana State Information Commission, which, after careful consideration and scrutiny of the case file, deemed it necessary for HSIIDC to make the information public.
Key Directive
A notice signed by Naresh Gulati, Chief Information Commissioner of Haryana, mandates HSIIDC to:
- Upload Details: Publish all allotments made under the NRI quota on its official portal.
- Compliance Report: Submit a report to the Chandigarh headquarters of the commission, confirming the above action.
Context - HSIIDC's 2011 Estate Management Policy
- NRI Quota Allocation: 12% of industrial plots were reserved for NRIs.
- NRI Plot Allotment Panel and Foreign Investment & NRI Cell: Established to facilitate prospective applicants, yet lacking clear selection criteria for NRI candidates.
This move is seen as a step towards enhancing transparency in real estate dealings, particularly those involving non-resident Indians in Gurgaon, Haryana.