15% of flats in group housing society to be earmarked for EWS/ BPL persons

GURGAON: Bringing in some clarity on the size, specification on draw of lots and allotment of the EWS/BPL flats and plots, the state government has formulated what it calls a “comprehensive policy” for builders of licensed colonies across the state.
TOI had recently reported about how the demand across the board for such housing is much higher than the government supply.
According to the July 2013 policy of the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), the EWS/BPL plots in licensed residential plotted colonies will have to be 20% of the total land of the township, measuring between 50 sq. m and 125 sq. m. This, for EWS/BPL flats, will amount to 15% of the total number of flats in a group housing society measuring not more than 200 sq. ft each.
The colonizer will have to transfer the demarcated plots to the Haryana Housing Board department at a rate fixed by the state which at present is Rs 600 per sq. m. The transfers will have to take place within six months of the approval of the zoning plan.
In order to ensure proper living conditions, the builder is supposed to provide roads, water supply and electricity for the EWS/BPL plots in its colony. The department has also specified a time-frame for providing the infrastructure in a year from sanctioned zoning plan/environmental clearance so that the housing board can build units to be transferred for allocation.
Meanwhile, the maximum price for allotment of EWS flats in group housing colonies will be as fixed by the state. This, at present, is Rs 1.5 lakh per flat or Rs 750 a sq. ft.
Making sure that builders, who have gained licences prior to this policy amendment, are also brought under the ambit, the DTCP has clarified that EWS plots/flats are transferred to the housing board before a licence renewal.
Among others, the Housing Board will earmark these plots for rental housing scheme for BPL families. Also, in order to ensure that the allottees of such plots are genuine people, the state would not permit further transfer of the plots within a period of five years. The breach of this condition will attract penalty equivalent to 100% of selling price of the allotted unit to be paid by the purchaser.
Advertisements will be have to be given by the colonizer in three newspapers (one leading English national daily and two Hindi-language ones, having circulation of more than 10,000 copies in the state, to highlight allotment of such EWS flats. Advertisement shall highlight the number and size of flats, payment schedule and other essential requirements, terms and conditions.
The draw of lots shall be conducted by a committee consisting of the deputy commissioner or his representative, senior town planner of the circle and the district town planner concerned. The date of draw will be fixed by the senior town planner concerned within four weeks of scrutiny of applications.