Look into homebuyers’ problems: Centre to UP

The Centre on Monday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to look into "the enormous problems faced by lakhs of homebuyers" in Greater Noida West (previously known as Noida Extension).

The Centre on Monday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to look into "the enormous problems faced by lakhs of homebuyers" in Greater Noida West (previously known as Noida Extension).

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Ajay Maken, union minister of housing and urban poverty alleviation, wrote a letter to UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, saying the government should consider meeting representatives of buyers being prima facie harassed by private builders through threats of agreement cancellation, revised rates and interest demands.

The minister said hapless buyers have already been undergoing a torturous experience over the last two years as their hard-earned money got blocked because of litigation and non-clearance of the area's master plan.

The minister also said that even after the hurdles have been cleared, builders apparently want to cash in on the appreciated real estate value.

In his letter to the CM, Maken has said, "I'm sure that you will be able to look into their (the buyers') problems and provide them relief… it's a matter of lifetime opportunities and dreams."

The minister wrote the letter following a group of buyers met him on Monday, complaining regarding "unfair activities and unethical demands of builders".

The buyers also asked the minister to bring a bill to regulate the real estate sector. They said the minister assured them that such a bill would soon be tabled in the Parliament.

"Agreements between builders and buyers are mostly in favour of the latter. The bills should have strict provisions so that builders do not harass buyers. A helpline should be put in place for buyers," said a buyer who met the minister.