Owing to the increasing number of complaints pouring in at the UT Estate Office against managements of housing societies by General Power of Attorney (GPA) holders,the Chandigarh Administration plans to extend the relief of transfer of ownership rights to subsequent GPA holders as well. A sub-GPA (subsequent GPA) holder is the person to whom the original GPA holder has sold off his share (a flat in the housing society). So far in Chandigarh,owing to difficulties in the transferring process,majority of such sale-purchase was happening undercover. In March,the situation eased a bit as the Estate Office allowed GPA holders in around 120 cooperative group housing societies in the city to get flats transferred in their name by paying nominal charges. Now,the Estate Office plans to extend similar relief to sub-GPA holders as well. UT Deputy Commissioner R K Rao said: Considering the fact that many GPA holders had already sold off their shares to a third party,it is not right that the new owner suffers. We are thinking of keeping the transfer fee the same as that for GPA holders; it may be increased over the years. Previously,the UT Administration had proposed charging Rs 3.8 lakh to Rs 5.25 lakh,depending on the category of flats,as transfer fee. However,owing to the hefty amount,there were hardly any takers as people continued possessing flats on GPAs only,without getting them registered in their name. At present,GPA holders can get the flats (membership of the housing society) transferred in their name by paying Rs 50,000 for Category A flats; Rs 25,000 for Category B flats and Rs 15,000 for Category C flats. While the GPA holders breathed a sigh of relief,the sub-GPA holders suffered a heart burn. Why should they be victimised? Its better to extend the relief all around, said a senior official of UT Administration. The final modalities of the plan will be mentioned in the notification,which is expected in the next couple of weeks. Managements of housing societies minting money?Certain cases have come to light wherein managements of housing societies demanded money from GPA holders,besides the transfer fee levied by the Estate Office,before they could get flats transferred in their name. Jasbir Singh,a GPA holder,said: Why should we pay double-once to the managements and then to the government? These managements demand anything between Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 in the name of processing fee. Once the Estate Office allows sub-GPA holders to transfer property too,this ambiguity is bound to be removed.
