Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has begun its investigation of a case regarding the list of flat recipients for the 4,000 flats in Hulhumale'. The commission's Quick Response Team visited the Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to gather information for the case.
A complaint was submitted to the ACC claiming that the final list of recipients who received 4,000 flats in Hulhumale' was made public in violation of the policy on awarding points to the applicants. The complainant accused the government of publishing the list without giving applicants the opportunity to submit complaints for the benefit of particular individuals.
After registering the case, ACC instructed the planning ministry to sign the agreements and hand over the flats after providing the opportunity to submit complaints regarding the points awarded to the applicants. A crowd gathered at the ministry building to protest the housing scheme after the publication of the list. They accused the ministry of awarding points without considering the living conditions of the applicants.
Regarding the issue, Minister of State Akram Kamaludeen said the list was formulated based on the information on the applications, adding that officials had visited the homes of some applicants. He acknowledged the concerns regarding the list and said that the ministry has decided to accept complaints via the online portal.
The final list of flat recipients for the 4,000 flats in Hulhumale' under the Gedhoruveriya housing scheme was published on November 4. Notably, a total of 20,697 individuals applied for the flats, of which 13,000 were deemed eligible.
The ministry also provided information on the points system used to formulate the list. The ministry specified that individuals scoring 76 and above are eligible for three-bedroom flats, while those with scores of 73 and above qualify for two-bedroom flats. Allocation of the flats to the eligible recipients will be determined through a lucky draw, and the date and time of the draw will be announced through the Gedhoriverin Portal.
Individuals not selected among the initial 4,000 recipients but identified as eligible in the final list will receive a letter of allocation through the portal. The ministry further clarified that in cases where a couple has been chosen for a flat through separate applications, only one flat will be granted to the couple.