Anti-corruption commission (ACC) has concluded the cases for claims stating that the apartments allocated by the government through the “Gedhoruverikuruvun” programme were not allocated fairly and justly, that the government did not assess the living conditions of some individuals who applied for the apartments, and that flats were issued to individuals that got lower marks than those who were unable to win the flats.
During the investigation of the cases, the commission observed that a computer generated slip was issued to every applicant who applied for apartments allocated in Hulhumale’ under the “Gedhoruverikuruvun” programme, and this slip was issued after analyzing the information presented in the application form and the related documents provided. Furthermore, it was stated on the slip that the points were given in relation to the application form and are subjected to change if any errors are found upon further analysis of the information provided. Therefore, the commission observed that the points given on the slip were not the final points for the applicant.
In addition to this, the commission observed that among the people who sent claims to the commission, some applicant’s points were amended in relation to the information provided in the application form and the related documents; and after re-assessing some forms applied many years ago, where the government found that the applicants’ living standards have changed after they had submitted their forms.
The living conditions of some applicants were not assessed due to several reasons such as not being able to contact the applicants due to changes in their phone numbers, applicants not answering their phone even when called repeatedly, not being able to visit applicants’ homes due to work, applicants’ addresses being changed and applicants moving to other islands and countries. However, with the purpose of giving these applicants another chance, the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure published an announcement on 22nd May 2017 (No: (IUL)138-DS3/138/2017/31) stating that these applicants can either submit letters or call the ministry regarding the matters before 01st June 2017. The announcement also stated that no further chances will be given for applicants after 15th June 2017 for surveying their homes. The commission observed that for the applicants who had requested to survey their homes during this period, the ministry obliged and had completed their surveys.
The commission also observed that the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure has re-checked the application forms and related documents of the parties who submitted complaints regarding the allocation of apartments under the “Gedhoruverikuruvun” programme, amended the points as required and allocated apartments for the individuals who earned points above the required level.
Category 1 apartments are to be allocated to individuals who earned points above 110, while category 2 apartments are to be allocated to individuals who earned points above 112. Similarly, the commission observed that individuals who were granted an apartment under category 1 received points above 110, and individuals who were granted an apartment under category 2 received points above 112.
Thereby, since there is no sufficient evidence to prove an offence of corruption in the cases submitted to the commission, the commission has concluded the case, under section 25 (a) (1) of Law number 13/2008 (Anti-Corruption Commission Act) deciding that the matter did not involve any offence of corruption.