Panel to study difficulties in conversion to freehold system

The committee will examine the various issues that are holding up the conversion. It will subsequently finalise specific recommendations with regard to these problems. The issues being studied by the committee include transfer of leasehold property, sale under General Power of Attorney (GPA) and status of GPA under the scheme.

The Administration had earlier decided that the conversion of property would be allowed in the name of the GPA holder, provided that he or she fulfilled all the other conditions. This was done by the Administration on the pattern of the rules followed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

Meanwhile, residents of the city assert that the Administration should also study the other regulations of DDA for conversion of leasehold property.K.S.S. Walia, a resident of Sector 44, highlights that DDA allows conversion on the basis of "Completion Certificate" or on the submission of "Form D".

This form certifies that the drainage/sanitary/water supply work has been executed under an authorised plumber or engineer’s supervision as per the building bylaws/sanctioned plan. The form also certifies that the sanctioned building plans are valid up to the date of its submission, have been inspected by an authorised architect and have been found in order.

It is also pointed out that in DDA, a "no-dues" certificate issued by the respective cooperative house building society to the GPA holder on behalf of the original allottee is accepted and conversion is done in his or her name. Chandigarh residents stress that such systems should be evolved in Chandigarh so that the conversion is feasible.

When contacted by Newsline, UT officials said that while the final decision in the matter will be taken by the committee, the general policy of the Administration is that the major deviations — particularly those involving encroachment on space — will not be allowed.

Officials said that where such blatant encroachments have been made, submission of the completion certificate is mandatory.

It had earlier been discussed that while misuse of the premises could not be condoned in any case, the question of building violations was on a slightly different footing. In this light, it was felt that violations of a very minor nature should not be allowed to be a bar to the process of conversion.

It is learnt that Jagdish Sagar, Adviser to the UT Administrator, had also stressed that the procedure and formalities for the conversion of leasehold properties into freehold should be streamlined and liberalised. This was to be done, however, without compromising on the basic design features, so that the city residents could get the maximum benefit out of the scheme.