Latest Property News on 'Delhi'

Delhi govt distributes 2,200 low cost flats ahead of civic polls

NEW DELHI: With an eye on MCD polls slated for March, Delhi Government on Friday finally started allotment of around 2,200 low cost flats to industrial workers in the city.

In the first batch, a total of 115 industrial workers were given allotment letters of flats built at Narela area of North West Delhi, at a function attended by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Each beneficiary will have to pay around Rs 1.6 lakh to the government as cost of flat having 16.1 metre of carpet area. The government has made arrangements with a number of banks to provide loan to facilitate loans to the beneficiaries.

Government’s infrastructure development agency DSIIDC, which built the 2,229 flats on ‘no loss no profit’ basis, selected the beneficiaries by holding a draw of lots. A total of 11,000 applicants had applied for the flats.

The flats have been built under Rajiv Gandhi Housing scheme for industrial workers. The remaining 2,114 flats will be alloted within next six months.

Officials said Government would make available hospitals, schools, shopping complexes and bus services to the occupants of the flats in Narela so that the industrial workers and their families do not face any inconvenience.

Dikshit, who personally distributed allotment letter to 22 beneficiaries, described allotment of the flats as beginning of a major task ahead.

“It was our dream to give you a roof and today we have made a significant step forward in realising the dream. This is just the beginning. There is a major challenge ahead of us and we will do our best to take on the challenge,” she said.

Admitting that construction of low cost flats under the scheme announced nearly four years ago got delayed due to various constraints, she said Delhi government was working very hard to provide roof to the industrial workers as well as to economically weaker section.

She also exhorted DSIIDC, which had earlier allotted 2,820 such flats under the scheme, to expedite construction of more low cost flats. Dikshit said the city government will continue its effort to provide affordable houses in well developed colonies to the industrial workers, economically weaker section and slum dwellers.

Officials said 17.5 per cent flats are being reserved for workers belonging to SC, 7.5 per cent for ST, one per cent for physically handicapped and 5 per cent of the flats are being reserved for Group C and D employees of public sector undertakings under the city government.

Out of 2,229 flats, 337 have been built at Bawana area. They said physical possession of flats will be given after obtaining biometric details of the beneficiaries. They said DSIIDC will carry out periodical verification to ensure that beneficiaries do not misuse the flats.

Speaking on the occasion, Industries Minister Ramakant Goswami said government has set a target of 2016 to make Delhi a slum-free city. The DSIIDC is in the process of constructing over 70,000 low cost flats for distribution among people belonging to economically weaker section.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/real-estate/news-/delhi-govt-distributes-2200-low-cost-flats-ahead-of-civic-polls/articleshow/11837806.cms

For home loans, now pay a bigger pie of property value

MUMBAI: Prospective home loan seekers will now have to shell out 25% to 30% of the value of a property as against 20% until now with the Reserve Bank of India asking banks to exclude stamp duty, registration fee and other levies from total cost.

Effectively, this means that the ‘loan to value’ ratio has come down by 5-10% for home loans from what it was earlier.

Stamp duty and other levies vary from state to state. In Maharashtra, for example, stamp duty is 5%, while in Bangalore it is 8%, Kolkata 7% and New Delhi 4%.

In Mumbai, value added tax (1%), service tax (2.6%), registration fee and stamp duty add up to 9-10% of the cost of the property.

Experts believe the RBI’s latest move is aimed at curbing speculation in the property market. They point out that in December 2010, in order to check excessive lending by banks, RBI had directed commercial banks against lending more than 80 per cent of the value of a property for loans above Rs 20 lakh and not more than 90 per cent for loans below Rs 20 lakh.

While imposing the new set of curbs, the RBI has said, “This overstates the realisable value of the property, as stamp duty, registration and other documentation charges are not realisable. Consequently, the margin stipulated gets diluted.”

Property experts say the RBI’s move does not bode well for developers as it may lead to a further drop in home sales. “In the short run, the decision will put additional strain on the home buyer, at least till economic conditions improve,” said Pranab Datta, vice chairman of Knight Frank, a property consultants firm.

“It is unfortunate that inspite of clarity on importance of the need to provide shelter, RBI has issued such anti-housing guidelines,” said Lalit Kumar Jain, national president of Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India.

However, Om Ahuja, CEO (Residential) with JLL, another property consultants firm, believes the new notification will not impact home sales.

“So far, individuals used to put in 20% of own money. Now they will have to pay for stamp duty and registration from their own pockets. I think borrowers can do that without much issue as their loan amount also decreases,” said Ahuja.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/For-home-loans-now-pay-a-bigger-pie-of-property-value/articleshow/11815632.cms

Ousted slum dwellers demand plots in Bawana

Scores of people evicted from various settlements protested in front of the Lt Governor’s office since Monday demanding plots in the Bawana resettlement colony. Protesters alleged that the police on Tuesday removed them forcibly and packed them off to some far-off place. Of the protesters, eight were detained at the Civil Lines police station.

About 150 persons, including women and children, evicted from various settlements and slum clusters are demonstrating in front of the LG’s office since Monday.

Armed with documents as proofs, these people have been running from pillar to post since 2004 to get plots at Bawana.

Numerous meetings and letters later, both the Lt Governor and the Delhi Development Authority’s vice chairman agreed that these people indeed were entitled to plots but red tape prevented them from getting possession, the protesters said.

Fed up with the harassment, the residents decided to stage a daylong agitation in front of LG’s office on Monday, which spilled over to Monday night and also continued on Tuesday.

“Police told us that we would not be allowed to meet the LG. They resorted to lathi charge, injuring several of us,” alleged Loha Singh Yadav, from Bawana Sangharsh Samiti.

Zahir Ahmed from Hazard Centre, the NGO helping the people in dealing with the DDA, was one of the eight persons, including three women, detained at the Civil Lines police station.

“File notings obtained through RTI have established LG’s recommendations about allotment to those having ration cards or such documents,” Ahmed said.

Police claimed the agitators were given permission to protest only on Monday and denied use of force.

Rajan Bhagat, Delhi Police spokesperson said, “They were exceeding the permissible limits of holding demonstrations. They were let off after preventive detention.” Neemo Dhar, DDA’s spokesperson, said: “I don’t have details of the issue.”

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Ousted-slum-dwellers-demand-plots-in-Bawana/Article1-808239.aspx

No decision on Commonwealth Games Village flats FAR

New Delhi: The debate over excess floor area ratio (FAR) of Commonwealth Games Village flats did not reach conclusion during the meeting called by the Urban Development ministry on Tuesday.
Senior officials of Delhi Development Authority and project developer Emaar MGF were part of the meeting, called after the Delhi High Court ordered the authorities concerned should meet and decide over the issue.

The ministry heard both sides and will give its decision through an affidavit in the High Court by February 10. The next date of hearing in the case is February 23.

The court had, in its January 19 order, made it clear that if the logjam over the FAR continues, it would not hesitate in passing an order. The court had sided with the buyers, who are awaiting possession as DDA and Emaar MGF debate the FAR issue. While DDA claims the FAR sanctioned by it is 2,05,000 sqm, Emaar said the FAR is 2,20,000 sqm.

According to sources, Emaar MGF told MoUD it has not constructed any non-compoundable items.”The total plot area of the Village is 11 hectares, as per Master Plan Delhi-2021, FAR of 200 entitles Emaar to construct 2,20,000 sqm after applying 5 per cent compounding as permissible in the MPD. It entitles us to additional construction of 11,000 sqm. Thus the total construction permissible by law tin the complex is 2,31,000 sqm. FAR achieved by the project developer is 2,27,071 sqm,’’ Emaar MGF said.

DDA, on the other hand, suggested either demolishing the non-compoundable construction or an upfront payment by Emaar MGF for the excess FAR.

“The project developer should pay Rs 18,000 per sqm for the excess FAR. This will be beyond the compounding fees charged by DDA’s building department,” said a source in DDA.

But Emaar feels that this charge is too steep and the amount should be calculated as per provisions in the building bylaws, sources said.

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/news/no-decision-on-commonwealth-games-village-flats-far/909312/0

Unauthorised colonies regularisation: Delhi govt to rely on satellite images

New Delhi: Under attack after a high-level probe found gross irregularities in issuance of provisional regularisation certificates, the Delhi government has decided to only rely on satellite images to verify prescribed built up areas of over 1,200 settlements to regularise them.
Following allegations of irregularities, the government decided not to go by reports of MCD on built up areas in unauthorised colonies which were issued provisional regularisation certificates (PRCs) in 2008 and instead asked Survey of India to provide satellite images of the colonies.

As per norms, unauthorised colonies, which had come up prior to March 31, 2002, and which had 50 per cent built-up area as on February 8, 2007, were eligible for PRCs.

“The Survey of India has satellite images of all the colonies and we have decided to go by the images. We will not rely on reports of MCD in verifying built up area,” a top official said.

The PRCs were issued based on verification of built up areas by MCD following submission by Resident Welfare Associations. The government has already cancelled PRCs of 43 unauthorised colonies on the basis of findings of the report.

The Delhi government had issued the PRCs to over 1,239 unauthorised colonies ahead of the assembly polls in 2008, which have been home to around 40 lakh people and constitute important vote bank.

A committee, headed by Divisional Commissioner Vijay Dev has found serious wrongdoings in the process of issuance of PRCs and recommended criminal proceedings against those involved in the irregularities. The committee said certain non existent colonies were also issued PRCs.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had ordered the inquiry in October last year after former MLA Ramvir Singh Vidhuri filed a complaint with the city Lokayukta alleging serious fraud in issuance of PRCs.

The committee highlighted alleged nexus between land grabbers, Resident Welfare Associations and certain elements in concerned government departments to procure provisional regularisation certificates (PRCs) in violation of laid down norms.

The BJP has been attacking the government demanding an in-depth inquiry into the whole process of issuance of PRCs.

Dikshit had yesterday issued directions to Urban Development department to strictly follow laid down norms in regularising the colonies.

The Urban Development department is currently preparing a report on the issue for submission with the Delhi Lokayukta who has issued notices to Delhi Government seeking all details about the procedure adopted for issuance of PRCs in 2008.

The probe report said certain ineligible colonies also managed to get the PRCs violating laid down norms.

Regularisation of unauthorised colonies is expected to become an election issue during MCD polls as BJP has been slamming the government accusing it of failing to keep its promise of regularising the unauthorised colonies.

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/news/unauthorised-colonies-regularisation-delhi-govt-to-rely-on-satellite-images/909077/0

CWG village flats: Ministry steps in

NEW DELHI: With the issue of unauthorized construction in Commonwealth Games Village kicking up a storm, the ministry of urban development finally made an effort on Tuesday to hammer out a solution. Following an order from the high court, the ministry convened a meeting – of Delhi Development Authority and the private builder Emaar MGF – to decide on excess floor-area ratio (FAR) before the next hearing.

While sources in DDA said the ministry gave a chance to the private developer to put across its point, the authority maintained that it had gone beyond the permissible FAR while constructing the flats.

Now, the ministry has to decide if the excess FAR of the Games Village flats can be regularized. DDA officials said though the meeting was inconclusive, the ministry will now file an affidavit in the HC with its reply on the issue. The village has 1,168 flats, of which over 400 flats belong to Emaar MGF and the rest belong to DDA. Emaar MGF sold nearly all flats under its share for Rs 2 crore to Rs 4.5 crore. However, buyers have not been given possession of their flats so far as the matter of excess FAR remains.

Emaar claims that the constructed area in the Games Village is “well within the permissible and compoundable limits” and follows the provisions of the Master Plan Delhi – 2021. Though DDA insisted that the FAR sanctioned by it was 2,05,140 square metres, the private developer maintained that the FAR, as per the sanctioned plan dated February 27, 2008, was 2,20,000 square metres which becomes 2,27,071.72 square metres on adding 5% compoundable FAR.

According to Emaar MGF, the construction over and above the sanctioned FAR is 21,931.72 metres, which can be regularized under MPD 2021. DDA also wanted the private developer to pay up for the extra construction. It had earlier sealed two towers (65 flats) and a flat in another tower due to excess FAR. DDA had to later de-seal them after the buyers moved the high court and MCD Tribunal. MoUD will decide by February 10 – the deadline fixed by the court – whether the buyers will get their flats anytime soon.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/CWG-village-flats-Ministry-steps-in/articleshow/11800557.cms

On Barapullah,deadline slips by yet again

[B]Slip Roads Between Sarai Kale Khan & JLN Stadium Not Likely To Be Ready Before May
[/B]

New Delhi: The deadline for construction of slip roads on Barapullah elevated corridor has once again been pushed further due to unforeseen delays.These roads run between Sarai Kale Khan and Jawaharlal Nehru stadium and are supposed to provide connectivity to the elevated road with the Lala Lajpat Rai Marg.

The slip road above Kushak Nullah,acting as an exit for traffic on the elevated road coming from east Delhi,iexpected to be opened to public by mid-March.The second slip road above Sunehri Nala,meant to provide access to the elevated road from Lala Lajpat Rai Marg,is expected to be completed by April-end or May,said officials.

The loops,first planned in 2009,have missed several deadlines in the past.While the exit road from Barapullah elevated road,over Kushak Nala,was first planned for completion by June 30,it was later extended to August,a deadline it missed,as well as the revised deadline of November 15.The deadline was then extended to February 15,and it is now expected to be opened by mid-March.

The deadline for the slip road near Lala Lajpat Rai Marg was first October,it was later extended to January 15.However,it will be ready only by April-end or May,said officials.

We are trying to finish work on the slip road above Kushak Nala as early as possible,but there were several unforeseen setbacks.Earlier,there was heavy seepage due to a Delhi Jal Board water line and that caused some delay, said a senior PWD official.When TOI visited the spot on Thursday,work on expansion joints on the flyover,railings,and the stretch joining the slip road to Lala Lajpat Rai Marg was still largely incomplete.

Meanwhile,the slip road near Sunehri Nala from where vehicles can climb on to the elevated road from Lala Lajpat Rai Marg is riddled with delays.Some of the iron rods have been broken and stolen by miscreants.Anti-social elements come and steal construction material at night regularly.The area also falls under the purview of DIMTS (Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transport System ) and some BRT work is expected to take place.Few issues are being sorted out and the process is expected to take at least two more months.We hope to finish the work and open the slip road to public by the end of April or beginning of May, said a senior PWD official.

Currently,the entry and exit to the elevated road is at two points Sarai Kale Khan and Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium.Once the slip roads are opened to public,motorists driving from ITO along Lala Lajpat Rai Marg will be able to get on to the elevated road via a loop near Aman Hotel,and motorists driving on the elevated road will be able to get off to Lala Lajpat Rai Marg via a loop near Jangpura.

Earlier,PWD had imposed a penalty of 10% of the total cost of the first phase of the project (Rs 550 crore) on the contractor for the delay in project.

Source: http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=5&edlabel=CAP&mydateHid=05-02-2012&pubname=&edname=&articleid=Ar00500&format=&publabel=TOI

llegal colonies: Govt moves with caution

New Delhi: Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday said her government is treading “carefully yet expeditiously” while confirming amnesty given to 1,239 illegal colonies after a government probe found the process was ridden with fraud.
Newsline last Friday reported probe findings by Divisional Commissioner Vijay Dev that Urban Development officials broke rules in granting provisional the amnesty in 2008, and that the fraud called for a criminal probe.

Dikshit told Newsline on Monday, “I held a meeting with top officials of all the departments concerned and instructed them to verify eligibility of all the colonies before approving the final amnesty.”

Dikshit said she called the meeting to understand the findings of Divisional Commissioner’s report. “Officials have today told me that the amnesty for unauthorised colonies was only provisional,” she said.

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/news/illegal-colonies-govt-moves-with-caution/908805/

Illegal colonies scam report in public domain now

“Not privileged, has no bearing on law and order which could prevent it from being disclosed,” says Lokayukta

The Delhi Lokayukta on Thursday allowed a request by the complainants in the unauthorised colonies scam case to have access to the inquiry report submitted before the Ombudsman by the Secretary (Revenue).

The complaint filed by former MLA Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Arun Rai had alleged that provisional regularisation certificates had been issued to some non-existent colonies.

In response to a report sought by the Lokayukta, the Secretary (Revenue) had filed a report but demanded that it may be kept in a sealed cover.

Lokayukta Manmohan Sarin said Abhijit Bal, counsel for the complainant, had requested that the enquiry report, which had been kept in a sealed cover pending perusal by the forum, may be seen by them. Mr. Bal submitted that the request for the return of the report and its re-requisition though the Chief Secretary had already been declined by the Lokayukta.

Though the counsel for the Secretary Revenue urged that on account of “the serious nature of the inquiry”, it should be kept confidential, Justice Sarin said: “I find considerable merit in the plea of the complainant’s counsel that the report is neither privileged nor does it have any bearing on foreign relations or law and order, etc., which could be urged in support of a plea for it not being disclosed.”

The Lokayukta said the enquiry had been ordered by the Delhi Government itself to unravel the truth and take corrective measures. The report was submitted on November 23, 2011 and it has already been over two months.

He said the provisional regularisation certificates that had been issued have been cancelled following this report. Therefore Justice Sarin held that “the disclosure of the report is in consonance with transparency in functioning which is conducive to efficiency and probity in governance. Such disclosure is in public interest. Besides, any citizen can seek the same under RTI Act.”

Holding that no fetter can be placed on the contents of the report coming into the knowledge of the parties, the Lokayukta said, “the report is directed to be placed in the court file and would be available for inspection to any of the parties.”

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/article2855730.ece

‘Fraud in amnesty for illegal colonies’

New Delhi: A Delhi government report has found that officials broke all norms while offering amnesty to illegal colonies nearly four years ago and has called for a criminal probe to prosecute violators.
The report submitted to the Chief Secretary last November has not been made public so far. Newsline obtained a full copy of the report through a Right to Information application.

Ahead of the state elections in 2008, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s government offered assurance of amnesty to 1,239 illegal colonies that are home to nearly a fourth of the Capital’s electorate.

The government handed Provisional Certificates of Regularisation (PCR) to representatives of these unauthorised colonies, committing that the settlements will be declared legal in subsequent years after necessary formalities.

But the report by Divisional Commissioner Vijay Dev — who was asked by Dikshit to probe complaints of irregularities in cases of three colonies — found that the Urban Development department, which managed the scheme, “completely abdicated its responsibilities” and “conveniently ignored” amnesty guidelines.

According to the report, extensive government land was “collusively allowed to be encroached and subsequently PCRs were issued”, leading to land grabbers obtaining amnesty through bogus documents.

“As a result, virtually a carte-blanche (blank cheque) was given to resident societies to submit whatever they like and PCRs were issued without even bothering to find whether the proposal is hit by the fatal ineligibilities laid down under Clause 3 (of amnesty guidelines),” the report states.

Vijay Dev submitted this report to Chief Secretary P K Tripathi on November 23 last year. The government carried out an internal inquiry and last month, it decided to cancel amnesty offered to 73 colonies.

When her comments were sought Thursday on the findings of the report, Chief Minister Dikshit told Newsline, “I haven’t yet had the time to read the report fully. I will hold a meeting of all officials next week on the issue.”

So far, the government has not acted on many recommendations of the report, like the need to register criminal cases of conspiracy with an investigative agency into these “economic offences”.

“The agency may be asked to fix responsibility and proceed against various non-officials and officials of DDA, MCD, Delhi government for their collusion with land grabbers,” the report states.

Central government guidelines required Urban Development officials to verify that the colonies receiving the amnesty existed as on March 31, 2002, and at least half the plots were built as on February 8, 2007.

The report states officials could have verified this through the relevant aerial surveys that were available, but they ignored this process and instead issued certificates to colonies, stating that documents had been scrutinised.

The report also indirectly rubbishes claims by senior government officials that the amnesty certificates were only provisional and subject to a final scrutiny before the colonies were declared legal.

In the report, Dev states that the regularisation process drives the real estate market and vested interests “rob hapless citizens of lifetime earnings” on the basis of these provisional certificates.

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/news/fraud-in-amnesty-for-illegal-colonies/907377/0