IAS Colony in Patna. Telegraph picture

Patna, July 17: The residents of Aniket Co-operative Housing Society and Adarsh Co-operative Society would not have to hunt for alternative addresses immediately. The state urban development department has issued a stay on the Bihar State Housing Board’s (BSHB’s) order revoking their plot allotment.

Both the societies had appealed to the appellate authority — the urban development minister, challenging the order of the housing board. The minister, Prem Kumar, said: “The appeal was admitted at my tribunal on July 12. The housing board has been directed to maintain status in the two housing societies till the next hearing on August 30.”

According to sources, BSHB claimed before the appellate authority on July 14 — the first day of hearing — that it had not received a copy of the appeal till then. The version of the housing board would be heard prior to the next hearing on August 30.

The sources said both the societies challenged the plot allocation cancellation order stating that the managing director of BSHB did not have the requisite power to issue such a directive. Besides, the appeal also states about lack of any government notification in support of the cancellation orders.

“We have filed an appeal challenging the plot allotment cancellation order with the appellate authority. The case is being reviewed,” R.U. Singh, a retired IAS officer and the chairman of Aniket Co- operative Housing Society, said.

BSHB had passed the order cancelling the allotment of plots at Aniket Co-operative Housing Society, housing several present and former bureaucrats, on June 15. The directive was issued after the society allegedly failed to reply to the showcause notices regarding the use of residential premises for commercial purpose. The housing board notice had instructed the society to pay over Rs 2 crore against damage of property and an equal amount as penalty within 30 days.

Apparently, commercial establishments were allegedly being run on 20 out of 24 plots at the colony.

The land allocation of Adarsh Co-operative Society was also cancelled on June 15. It stated that all agreement and lease deeds stood cancelled because as the society neither took any satisfactory action against the offenders, nor furnished any clarification on the alleged commercial use of residential plots.

After challenging the board’s order, Adarsh Co-operative Society has ticked off its members using the plots for commercial purpose. “We have asked the members of our society to stop commercial activities on their plots immediately,” B.K. Sahay, the secretary of Adarsh Housing Co-operative Society, said.

Of the 45 plots in the society, seven are being allegedly used for commercial purpose.