Haryana housing scheme for poor riddled with flaws

The board got administrative approval for the scheme,which started last year in phases,with a condition that it would follow the criteria prescribed by HUDA,that is,the rules laid down by the Town and Country Planning Department.

As per the rules,first preference should be given to BPL families listed in the town where the project is coming up,followed by the district. However,the housing board has omitted this condition from its list of eligibility criteria.

Sources said the condition was removed so as to sell maximum houses,which may otherwise not find equally good response in all the cities due to the cost factor. Sources said,“The buying capability of a BPL family living in Gurgaon may be different from one living in Rewari.”

Besides,there may be large-scale misuse of the scheme,as the houses can be sold after allotment on power of attorney. Sources said a BPL family living in Panchkula would not buy a house in Gurgaon or Dharuhera to live in,but to sell it for profit.

Another discrepancy in the scheme is that an applicant,his or her spouse or dependent children should not own a flat or a plot in any licensed colony in urban areas of the state. Sources said this means that people who have availed of benefits under the Indira Awas Yojana could also apply,crowding out the genuine applicants.

The draw of lots for the scheme would start from February 14,and as per rules allotment is done in the presence of a committee comprising a deputy commissioner or his representative — who should be at least an HCS officer — senior town planner of the circle and a representative each of the Director,Town and Country Planning,and the developer. However,committees have not been formed so far.

When asked about not following the HUDA or the Town and Country Planning norms,Haryana Housing Board Chief Administrator MK Mahajan said these authorities have never come up with a scheme for BPL families,so there was no precedent to follow.

When told that the board was given administrative approval (a copy of which is with The Indian Express) with a stipulation to follow HUDA rules,he said the condition of giving first preference to locals was not applicable to them,but only to colonisers.

About making the scheme open for those who have houses in rural areas,Mahajan said this was done keeping in mind the people who migrate to cities in search of livelihood. When asked why committees were not constituted,he said there was no such rule.

What’s wrong

* Does not follow the rule of giving first preference to people living in the area.

* People who have benefited from Indira Awas Yojana or have property in villages can also apply.

* Beneficiaries can sell flat after allotment on power of attorney.

* Cost of house is Rs 3.6 lakh and monthly installment Rs 1,500 for a person earning Rs 2,500 or less per month.

* Committee for draw of lots not formed.