Ranchi, Jan. 9: The Jharkhand State Housing Board has allotted houses to several people in Ranchi and Jamshedpur allegedly flouting bylaws and court orders.

Patna High Court had asked the Jharkhand State Housing Board not to disposing of properties and assets falling within the jurisdiction of Jharkhand before a decision of the Union government in this regard.

Sources said the Jharkhand board had finalised agreements with several parties in Jamshedpur and Ranchi.

All houses disposed of were in the “hire-and-purchase” category, they added.

Board’s managing director Sunil Kumar admitted that he was aware of irregularities.

“I have come to know about the irregularities. So far, I have not received any written complaint. I would act as soon I would get a written complaint,” he added.

Sources said the allotments were made during the tenure of former housing board managing director Pandey Satish Chandra Sinha.

“Just before his retirement, the managing director used back-dated signatures for the purpose,” sources alleged.

Sinha was not available for comment.

Sources said apart from finalising deal in the hire-and-purchase category, the board allotted new houses constructed by the Bihar State Housing Board in Jharkhand allegedly in violation of the bye-laws and court orders.

“According to housing board rules, the public should be informed about the houses which would be allotted on rental or lease basis. But the Jharkhand board has allotted several houses without adhering to this rule,” sources said.

They added that about 100 such houses/flats were allotted in Ranchi alone.

Sources alleged that the allotments were also in violation of financial norms.

“The board allots houses according to the paying capacity (income) of the people. But the board has allotted several high-income group (HIG) houses to persons from lower-income groups and vice versa,” a housing board official said.