News: Licences of three affordable housing projects suspended in Gurugram.-25-02-2023
The department of town and country planning (DTCP) has suspended the licences of three affordable housing projects in the city for the developer's failure to comply with their terms and conditions. The licences were granted to Ocean Seven Buildtech Pvt Ltd in 2016, 2018 and 2019 to develop Expressway Towers in Sector 109, Golf Heights in Sector 69 and The Venetian in Sector 70, respectively. However, the developer has failed to deliver the projects to date, triggering vehement protests from the allottees.
DTCP officials have been asked to find out other assets of the developer, while deliberating upon the modalities for the completion of the stalled projects.
In the order, TL Satyaprakash, director general of the town and country planning department, said that the developer has made grave violations of Act No 8 of 1975 and Rules thereof and numerous complaints of the allottees against the developer for the delay of the project through different forums have been received
"Keeping in view, the interest of the public, grave violations made by you in making compliance of terms and conditions of licence and the project being Affordable Group Housing Colony targeting the housing stock generation for low and middle income groups, the licences granted to your company... are hereby suspended."
The homebuyers have been raising numerous complaints against the developer for delay in completion of the project.
According to a senior official of DTCP, the licence for Expressway Towers expired in May 2021 and there are outstanding dues of Rs. 13.99 crore on account of external development charges (EDC).
Sanjeev Mann, senior town planner, said, "Sufficient time was given to the developer to share the schedule for the completion of the projects but there was no clear response from them. Despite repeated directions to clear the outstanding dues and apply for the renewal of license, the developer has not acted."
On Friday, the homebuyers of Expressway Towers filed a police complaint against the developer and demanded the seizure of passports of the directors and OSB officials, who are allegedly involved in frauds. They have also met the H-Rera member to expedite the proceedings against the developer.
"We were promised possession of our flats in 2021 but to date, only 60% work has been completed. For the past two years, we have been running from pillar to post for the completion of the project as most of us have already paid the 100% of the flat cost," said a homebuyer.
A spokesperson for OSB said, "The order was passed against the company without giving us a chance of hearing. We'll file an appeal against the order with competent authority. We have already applied for renewal of licence. The company is committed to completing the projects."
