SC seeks information on affordable home projects allowed in Haryana in 10 years
The Supreme Court has recently demanded that the Haryana government provide details on affordable housing projects that have been granted licenses in the past decade. This directive comes as the apex court reviews petitions from buyers who have invested approximately Rs 160 crore in the Mahira Homes project in Sector 103, which has been stalled for nearly two and a half years. With the order issued on July 22, the court not only requested information about licenses issued for affordable housing but also sought details about the estimated cost of flats, the tripartite agreement between builders, homebuyers, and banks, and the project layouts that were approved.
Gathering crucial housing information
In addition to requesting information about past projects, the court has also asked for details about the number of completed projects, the allocation process for flats, the monitoring mechanisms for progress and quality, and the actions taken against any builders found in violation of regulations. The town and country planning department and the Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority have been called to provide this information within four weeks.
Concerns raised by homebuyers
The petitions before the Supreme Court were filed by homebuyers of the Mahira Homes project, which boasts around 800 flats. Despite paying a significant amount of money, buyers have complained that only 15% of the project has been completed and construction has not taken place for over two years. The buyers have sought resolution and are seeking assistance from the courts due to not receiving satisfactory responses from the involved authorities.
ED scrutiny
The apex court has reviewed several affidavits filed by the Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority and the Enforcement Directorate, which is currently investigating claims of fund diversion by the developers. According to these affidavits, a total of 73 licenses were granted under the affordable housing policy in Gurgaon, including projects associated with Mahira Homes in sectors 63A, 68, 90, 103, and 104. Currently, none of these projects have witnessed any new construction or development.
Action taken by the authorities
The Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority’s chairperson, Arun Kumar, has denied allegations that buyers’ complaints were ignored. Kumar highlighted that the authority has acted according to the rules laid out in the Rera Act of 2016. He stressed that it is now the responsibility of the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) to take further action according to Section 8 of the Rera Act. This particular section outlines the steps an appropriate government and competent authorities should take in the event of registration revocation for a development project.
Next steps
The Supreme Court has requested another affidavit from the Enforcement Directorate regarding the registration of Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIR) against the developers of other ongoing affordable housing projects. The court wishes to explore allegations raised by buyers and other agencies against these developers. The next hearing for the Mahira Homes case is scheduled for September 27, providing the concerned authorities time to gather and submit the requested details.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court has taken a strong stance in demanding transparency and accountability in the affordable housing sector in Haryana. The court’s directive to the Haryana government to provide details and information about past and ongoing projects will shed light on the status of affordable housing initiatives. This move will also aid in addressing the grievances of affected homebuyers and ensuring that developers adhere to regulations. The Supreme Court’s involvement highlights the importance of protecting buyers’ rights and ensuring that affordable housing projects receive adequate attention and progress.
