UD ministry’s new conversion policy stumps DDA

The Urban Development Ministry had last week liberalised the scheme of conversion to freehold of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) flats that were registered on general power of attorney (GPA) and agreement to sell (AS), Sidhartha Roy reports.

The Urban Development Ministry had last week liberalised the scheme of conversion to freehold of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) flats that were registered on general power of attorney (GPA) and agreement to sell (AS).

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The move was expected to bring relief to thousands of DDA flat owners. But they were in for a rude shock after landing at the DDA headquarters.

Sadhuram Sharma, owner of a DDA flat in Jahangirpuri, had bought the flat in 2006 on a GPA and agreement to sell AS. As conversion from leasehold to freehold of properties registered on GPA was stopped by DDA, the new policy came as a pleasant surprise to Sharma.

The real surprise, however, was waiting for him at the DDA headquarter Vikas Sadan, where hundreds of flat owners had landed up.

“When I asked for a form, I was told there were no forms for conversion of properties on GPA. I was sent to a counsellor but he too told me that the policy has been brought out by the ministry and DDA doesn’t have any official order yet. I was told that it would take more than two months for the order to arrive and the process to start,” Sharma said.

DDA admitted to some initial confusion regarding forms but said their counsellors and officials at sale counters have been informed about the new policy.

“There are no new forms for conversion of properties on GPA and existing forms are applicable. Properties with even unregistered GPA and AS between 1992 and 2001 can apply for conversion,” said DDA spokesperson Neemo Dhar.