Indian Express 05.08.2010
Pay ‘enhancement’ money, HUDA tells housing societies
Express News Service Tags : housing, HUDA Posted: Fri Aug 06 2010, 00:35 hrs
Panchkula: Over 100 housing societies in the township are finding themselves in an “enhancement” flux. The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has sent notices to most of these group housing societies, asking them to pay nearly Rs 91.51 lakh, leaving the residents in a fix.The amount is to be paid within 30 days. HUDA has asked these societies, consisting nearly 5,000 families, to pay for the compensation awarded to landowners, as per the orders given by a local court for increased compensation. This implies that each house will have to shell out nearly Rs 2 to Rs 2.25 lakh as enhancement money.
While a society on an area of about half-an-acre will have to pay approximately Rs 45 lakh, the price goes up according to the size. Talking to Newsline, HUDA estate officer S S Saini said the civic body does not have any role to play and it is only complying with the court orders.
“We have not asked for money for ourselves. If the land price increases after sometime, landowners can move court and demand increased compensation. In this case too, the same thing has happened. If the societies do not wish to pay, they can appeal in a higher court,” he said.
He, however, said residents can pay the amount in seven instalments, with 15 per cent rate of interest, if they do not want to pay in one go.
Landowners had filed a case for increased compensation price in High Court a few months ago, which was referred to a sessions court in Panchkula. The allotment of land for these societies started in 1995, with a reserve price of Rs 892 per square yard. The residents, however, alleged the same was sold for about Rs 1,200 per square yard by HUDA.
The authority had also said that 20 per cent rebate in land price would be given to builders who complete the construction within three years. Societies, meanwhile, remained peeved at the sudden charges imposed by HUDA, as this is not the first time that they have been served a notice to pay for an enhancement.
Eight years ago, too, residents were asked to shell out nearly Rs 80,000 as compensation.
“HUDA has not clarified whether they have included the previous amount of Rs 80,000 in this enhancement. There is too much of ambiguity. Meanwhile, we have given a memorandum to HUDA to withdraw the notice, as it is not justified. We are also contemplating moving the court,” said Ashish Garg, former councillor from Sector 20.
