SC asks DDA to allot plots to 14,000 applicants by July next year

In a major relief to applicants of DDA's 1981 housing scheme, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked DDA to allot plots to remaining 14,000 applicants in Rohini area here and conclude external development work by July 31, 2016. A bench headed by Justice J S Kehar, which had asked the vice chairman and the chief engineer of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to appear in person before it, said that any "breach" of its order would be "viewed seriously".

In a major relief to applicants of DDA's 1981 housing scheme, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked DDA to allot plots to remaining 14,000 applicants in Rohini area here and conclude external development work by July 31, 2016. A bench headed by Justice J S Kehar, which had asked the vice chairman and the chief engineer of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to appear in person before it, said that any "breach" of its order would be "viewed seriously".

The bench passed a slew of directions while disposing of the petition alleging that despite the lapse of over three decades after DDA announced its scheme, nearly 25,000 of the original 83,000 applicants, still have not received plots.

DDA vice-chairman Balvinder Kumar and chief engineer Sandip Mehta told the court that almost 11,000 plots have been allotted to applicants in Sector 28, 29, 30 and 34 of Rohini area and delivery of remaining 14,000 plots will take time.

The court then fixed the deadline of July 31, 2016 and asked DDA to allot remaining 14,000 plots by that time after completing all external development works including laying of water pipeline and construction of roads.

The process of giving temporary electricity connection in some Sectors can be completed by the end of June this year, DDA officials said.

On being pointed out that the allotment of remaining 14,000 plots was earlier obstructed due to agitation in the area, the court asked Delhi government and city police to render all kind of assistance to DDA.

It further made it clear that no court, except the apex court, will hear any plea relating to the allotment process in the present case.

It also directed the authority not to transfer Mehta from his present position as chief engineer to ensure that the allotment and the development works are being conducted as per the court's directions.

The plot-seekers had moved the apex court after DDA had failed to honour repeated directions since 2009 of the Delhi High Court to allot the plots.