ISLAMABAD: Federal Ombudsman Salman Faruqui on Wednesday asked the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF) to refund the amount of Bara Kahu Housing Scheme to 32,000 federal government employees and applicants within 30 days. He also recommended the withdrawal of “Consent Letters” issued to the members of the said housing scheme and to form a comprehensive strategy for the acquisition of land. He also observed that the issuance of “Consent Letters” to the members of the housing scheme was without acquiring the proposed land in the area and the members were asked to deposit amounts against different categories of plots without an actual schedule of the payments and development charges in an unjustified manner which was tantamount to maladministration. Hafiz Ahsaan Ahmed Khokhar, Senior Advisor (Law) and Registrar Wafaqi Mohtasib held three hearings, wherein the officials of the FGEHF contended that the original acquisition of Bara Kahu scheme was 6932 kanals land but afterwards the foundation decided to purchase another 14,611 kanals land in the same area. They said that as the FGEHF works on “no profit no loss basis” thus the only way to generate funds was to collect money from the members. Therefore, the foundation was compelled to ask the members to make down payments for the plot to be allotted after purchase and acquisition of land. However, Hafiz Khokhar observed that the FGEHF issued “Consent Letters” to all 32000 members without giving them a specific schedule of the payments and without telling them the actual costs of land and development charges which resultantly would make a ciaos between the agency and its members. Therefore, Hafiz Ahsaan Ahmed Khokhar decided in principal that the agency may withdraw all “Consent Letters” issued to the members of the subject housing scheme and to refund their amount in the next 30 days. “No provisional letters will be issued in future until the subject matter is placed before the Boar of Agency for appropriate decision in the interest of the members,” declared the federal ombudsman. It was also directed that a comprehensive strategy be designed for acquisition of land and all development costs for the members and it may be circulated to all members. A clear schedule of the payments and development charges may also be specified to the members and the date of possession for the plots may also be intimated to the members in future correspondence, he declared.