NADRA ‘reluctant’ to share record about utilization of money collected under “Naya Pakistan” housing scheme
ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) is ‘reluctant’ to share information about utilization of more than Rs 500 million which it collected along with application forms for Naya Pakistan Housing Authority from citizens.
As per Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority (NAPHDA) record, a total of 2003940 applications were received by NADRA for NAPHA and Rs 250 was collected along with each application from the citizens.
Taimoor Khan, a resident of Islamabad, had requested NADRA and NAPHDA to provide information about the total number of applications received for Naya Pakistan housing scheme, total amount it collected along with application forms, reports prepared to determine the need of the people and details about the utilization of that amount under the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017.
No report is, so far, prepared on the basis of Naya Pakistan scheme applications to determine need of the public regarding the housing scheme: NAPHDA representative
However, NADRA appeared reluctant to share the information about the utilization of the collected money under the Right to Information law.
However, as per NAPHDA record available with The Reporters, NADRA collected more than Rs500 million along with application forms for Naya Pakistan Housing Authority. The record further reveals that NADRA also received a total of 2003940 applications for the Scheme and collected over Rs 500 million.
Taimoor Khan said initially NADRA and NAPHDA both denied having the record, but later, after the intervention of Pakistan Information Commission (PIC), NAPHDA shared the information.
During hearing of the appeal, NAPHDA representative informed the Pakistan Information Commission that no report is [so far] prepared on the basis of these applications to determine the need of the public regarding the housing scheme.
Nadra collected more than Rs500 million along with application forms for “Naya Pakistan Housing Authority” from citizens: NAPHDA record
He further informed that NAPHDA do not have a record of the utilization of the amount it collected along with application, adding that it might be possible that the amount is spent as service charges by the NADRA.
The representative, in his response, also said that utilization of the collected amount may be obtained from NADRA. While NADRA when approached refused to share the requested information and stated that the requested information can be sought from the concerned authority.
A total of 2,003940 applications were received by Nadra for Naya Pakistan housing Scheme and Rs 250 was collected along with each application: NAPHDA record
The record further shows that a total of 1799533 applicants are eligible for the proposed subsidy in the housing scheme. Out of which, 1398334 applicants are male, 401176 are female and only 23 transgender persons. More than 33,000 windows and 6,897 persons with disabilities have also applied for the housing scheme.
