At last, Noida draw over

The Noida Authority will begin the process of transferring land to the allottees within a week after the draw of lots for allotment of 1,250 residential plots ended on Saturday.

Stopped by the court following alleged rigging in the last draw organised in July 2005, Noida Authority officials said the draw, which began this time on Wednesday, has selected 267 allottees for plots in the general category and 268 for reserve category plots measuring 450 sq m. Noida Authority deputy CEO N P Singh said some technical snags cropped up during allocation of land to a few allottees, and they will be allocated provisional land as per the Allahabad High Court8217;s orders. Singh said the Authority has sent teams to procure land transfer forms. 8220;Almost 97 per cent of the allottees will be able to get their plots by next week but a few have been allotted land provisionally as they have not submitted some of the documents needed,8221; the deputy CEO said.

Successful candidates would have to submit 30 per cent of the total amount for their plots within 30 days. The Authority has also prepared a site plan of the land to be transferred to allotees to cut out meddling by middlemen.

But many who have found their names after the draw say the land rates are gone up a jot too steeply in the four years since the scheme was launched in 2004. 8220;I will not be able to take possession of my plot,8221; an allottee, who did not want to be named, said. 8220;The rate of 450-square metre land I have received in the draw is Rs 1.75 crore. I cannot arrange so much money.

8220;I think the solution would be to surrender the land to the Authority itself.8221;

The draw was carried out manually this time, as per High Court order, after the computerised draw of lots held in July 2005 was found to be rigged.