Latest news with #HSVP
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Bars, eateries operate from revoked SCOs in Gurugram Sec 29, despite violations
Despite multiple occupation certificates (OCs) being revoked over the past two years, bars, restaurants, and retail outlets continue to operate openly from shop-cum-office (SCO) properties in Gurugram's Sector-29—exposing lapses in enforcement by the excise department, fire safety authorities, and Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB). Documents accessed by HT show that OCs for SCO Nos. 27, 28, and 53 were cancelled between 2021 and 2025 for a range of violations, including unauthorised basement use, illegal fourth-floor construction, and zoning infractions. In a January 18, 2022 order against SCO No. 28, Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) even directed disconnection of water and sewer lines and initiated proceedings to reclaim the premises. Yet, at least five bars continue to operate from these properties—some even from basements, which HSVP norms allow solely for storage. A major fast-food chain and other restaurants have also set up shop in spaces designated strictly for hotel use. 'The building codes clearly specify that basements in HSVP markets are to be used for storage only. Running bars or spas in these spaces is not just a violation—it's a safety risk,' said a senior HSVP official, speaking on condition of anonymity. What's raising eyebrows is that several of these establishments continue to hold valid liquor licences and pollution clearances. 'How is the excise department issuing fresh liquor permits when the very building's occupancy certificate has been revoked? Why is the Pollution Control Board giving operating consent for such places?' asked Rajeev Yadav, Supreme Court advocate and president of NGO Adhikaar – The Rights Path, who has filed multiple complaints to both state and central bodies. Adding to the chaos, the back lanes of the market are blocked, hawkers have overtaken the main parking area, and an animal-themed safari cart inexplicably roaming through the market, what was once envisioned as a premium leisure zone now teeters on the edge of chaos. Environmental violations are also rampant. Green belts around Leisure Valley Park—a designated buffer and public space—have been encroached upon with illegal concrete structures and boundary walls. Earlier inspections by district nodal officer RS Batth had flagged these, but no demolitions or follow-up actions have occurred, activists said. 'It's become a concrete carnival,' said Roma J Vinayak, an environmental activist. 'The unchecked commercial creep into green areas has gutted Gurugram's urban cooling systems. And for what? Basement bars?' Activist Vaishali Rana said, 'Sector-29 was once a model of planned urban space. Today, it's a chaotic maze of unauthorised constructions and blatant misuse of land. The silence of regulatory is choking Gurugram's ecological lungs.' Urban planners warn that the issue is no longer confined to Sector-29. The trend of converting office basements into nightlife hubs is spreading—especially along Golf Course Extension Road. One such property, run by a former international cricketer, operates a high-end pub in an SCO marked for office use. 'This open defiance of zoning norms by celebrity ventures sets a dangerous precedent,' said Yadav. The matter has now reached the Chief Minister's Flying Squad and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), prompting activists to demand action beyond toothless show-cause notices. Akansha Tanwar, regional officer of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), said, 'We will initiate inspections and take appropriate action against any violations.' Gulshan Kalra, deputy director (technical), Haryana Fire and Emergency Services, said the department would launch a detailed fire safety survey. 'Our mandate includes ensuring equipment is in place, but we'll also examine unauthorised activity.' Vaishali Singh, HSVP administrator, acknowledged the issue. 'The matter is under our notice. We have directed the estate officer concerned to check the premises. If violations are found, strict action will follow.'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Haryana Housing Board's future uncertain as state govt plans its merger into HSVP
1 2 Chandigarh: Haryana's decades-old public housing mission may soon lose its distinct identity, with the state govt moving forward on a plan to merge the Haryana Housing Board into the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP). The Housing Board, established in 1971 to provide affordable homes on a no-profit-no-loss basis, has long served economically weaker sections, low-income families, and the lower middle class. But officials confirmed at a recent HSVP authority meeting — chaired by chief minister Nayab Singh Saini — that a full-scale merger is now in the works. The process, however, has been delayed by legal and financial hurdles. Officials pointed out that HSVP cannot absorb the housing board without an amendment to the HSVP Act — a step that requires cabinet approval and endorsement by the state assembly. In addition, the board's extensive inventory and liabilities present logistical challenges. The agency holds more than 10,000 flats and 300 acres of land currently, along with more than ₹100 crore in outstanding dues. Other govt departments will repurpose its headquarters in Panchkula and estate offices across cities, officials said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo "A committee has submitted its recommendations on how to handle the merger, including staff reassignments, asset transfers, and pending liabilities," a senior HSVP official confirmed. "The final proposal is now being prepared for cabinet consideration." Since its inception, the housing board has constructed around 1 lakh residential units, serving primarily low-income groups through a lottery-based allotment system. The board continued to operate even after the formation of HSVP (then HUDA) in 1977, receiving small plots in each urban sector for its projects. It also played a regulatory role in private developers' EWS housing obligations. Critics fear the merger could mark the end of genuinely affordable housing in the state. "With HSVP's shifting to auction-based allotment, poor families will be priced out," said Aftab Ahmed, MLA from Nuh and former deputy leader of the state opposition. "Now even the housing board's remaining flats will be auctioned off — the last hope for the poor is being extinguished." While the govet insists the move is aimed at administrative streamlining and resource optimisation, opposition leaders argue it will undercut housing access for those who need it most. The matter is expected to be placed before the cabinet in the coming weeks. MSID:: 121863462 413 |
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
ED arrests ex-Haryana MLA,aide in money laundering case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday (June 11, 2025) said it has arrested a former MLA and a former Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) officer in an alleged money laundering case here. Ram Niwas and Sunil Kumar Bansal were arrested on June 9, under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in the case of misappropriation of public funds in HSVP (formerly known as the Haryana Urban Development Authority) bank accounts, a statement from the agency said. Ram Niwas was a member of the Haryana Legislative Assembly from 2019 to 2024. He represented the Narwana constituency after he won elections on a Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) ticket. He was also a former official of the HSVP. The ED initiated the investigation on the basis of FIR registered at Panchkula by Haryana Police against unknown persons, said the statement. This case was registered on a complaint by the Drawing and Disbursing Officer of HSVP, in which it was alleged that a 'fraud and financial loss' was committed through a bank account of HSVP, it added. As per the FIR, between 2015-2019, debit transactions amounting approximately Rs. 70 crore were repeatedly released in favour of some particular parties for no apparent reason from the said bank account of HSVP, causing a loss of Rs 70 Crore to HSVP. An internal enquiry by the HSVP revealed that no such bank account was reflected in the cash branch or IT wing of HSVP, meaning that HSVP was 'defrauded' by Sunil Kumar Bansal and Ram Niwas in a clandestine manner,' the ED statement said. Following their arrest, both the accused were presented before the Additional District and Sessions Court at Panchkula. They were remanded to five days' Enforcement Directorate custody..
India Gazette
11-06-2025
- India Gazette
ED arrests two former Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran officials in money laundering case
New Delhi [India], June 11 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested two former officials of Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) (erstwhile known as HUDA) in a money laundering case, the agency said on Wednesday. ED's Chandigarh Zonal Office arrested Sunil Kumar Bansal and Ram Niwas, the two former officials of HSVP on June 9 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in the case of misappropriation of public funds in HSVP bank accounts. During the period 2019-2024, Ram Niwas was also MLA from Haryana, said the ED in a statement. ED initiated an investigation on the basis of a First Information Report (FIR) registered by Sector-7, Panchkula (Haryana Police) against unknown persons. This FIR was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) of HSVP. 'Vide this complaint, HSVP reported that a fraud and financial loss have been committed through a bank account of HSVP maintained with Punjab National bank (PNB), Chandigarh,' ED mentioned in the statement. As per FIR, during 2015 to 2019, debit transactions amounting to Rs 70 crore (approximately) were repeatedly released in favour of some particular parties for no apparent reason from the said bank account of HSVP, causing a loss of Rs 70 crore to HSVP. During an internal enquiry of HSVP, ED said, 'It was found by HSVP that no such bank account was reflected in the cash branch or IT wing of HSVP, meaning thereby that HSVP was defrauded by Sunil Kumar Bansal and Ram Niwas in a clandestine manner.' 'During the course of the investigation, it is revealed that fraud is not limited to one bank account or just to Rs 70 crore but is very huge, which has been committed by Sunil Kumar Bansal and Ram Niwas.' ED has attached properties amounting to Rs 21 crore by issuing three Provisional Attachment Orders (PAO). Out of the attached properties amounting to Rs 18.06 crore, are confirmed by Adjudicating Authority, PMLA, New Delhi. After the arrest of Sunil Kumar Bansal and Ram Niwas, the Additional District and Sessions Court, Panchkula, has granted a custodial remand of five days to ED, added the agency. (ANI)
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
ED arrests ex Haryana MLA, associate in 'fraud' linked money laundering case
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested former Haryana MLA Ram Niwas and ex-HSVP official Sunil Kumar Bansal for alleged money laundering related to misappropriation of funds within the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran. Accused were taken into custody on June 9 in Chandigarh. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday said it has arrested an ex-MLA from Haryana Ram Niwas and a former Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran ( HSVP ) official under the anti-money laundering law in a case linked to alleged misappropriation of funds in the state government and Sunil Kumar Bansal were taken into custody on June 9 at Chandigarh . The ED said in a statement that Niwas was an MLA during 2019-2024. He was also a former official of the HSVP (formerly known as the Haryana Urban Development Authority ) like said Niwas represented the Narwana assembly seat after he won elections on a Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) money laundering case stems from an FIR registered by Haryana Police at Sector-7 police station in Panchkula against unknown case was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by the drawing and disbursing officer (DDO) of HSVP where it was alleged that " fraud and financial loss" was committed through a bank account of HSVP maintained with the Punjab National Bank in was alleged that between 2015-2019, debit transactions of about Rs 70 crore were repeatedly released in favour of some particular parties for no apparent reason from the said bank account of HSVP, causing a loss of Rs 70 crore, the ED said quoting the police internal enquiry conducted by HSVP found that no such bank account was reflected in the cash branch or IT which means that HSVP was "defrauded" by Bansal and Ram Niwas in a clandestine manner, the ED ED claimed that the "fraud" was not limited to one bank account or just to Rs 70 crore but was "very huge".
