HUDA directed to pay compensation

PANCHKULA, Oct 19: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Haryana Urban Development Authority to refund a sum of Rs 26,700, wrongly forfeited, within one month, and also pay interest compensation at the rate of 10 per cent per annum on Rs 57,500, from the date of deposit till November 19, 1996, and on Rs 26,700 wef November 20, 1996, till the payment. HUDA has also been directed to pay a sum of Rs 100 towards the cost of proceedings.

The complainant, Vanmala, a resident of Sector 11, Panchkula, had stated that she was allotted a residential plot in Sonepat on a freehold basis at a price of Rs 2,30,100. She thereafter deposited Rs 57,525, being 25 per cent of the price of the plot. But the HUDA imposed a penalty of an amount of Rs 3,264, being 10 per cent of the first annual instalment of Rs 32,646.

The complainant has thus alleged that in spite of the various verbal requests and personal visits, HUDA, Sonepat, did not reply to her earlier letter regarding intimation of the time of possession.

After that HUDA ordered resumption of the plot and forfeited the amount of Rs 57,525. The complainant then filed an appeal before HUDA, Panchkula, which was forwarded to its Faridabad branch, who levied interest of Rs 33,675 and ordered for refund of Rs 30,825. HUDA, Sonepat, then sent a cheque of Rs 30,825. The complainant had demanded interest for six years on the amount of Rs 57,525 deposited by her and requested for refund of the balance amount.