Cops asked for report on homebuyers’ issues

The Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate (DM) has asked the directed the superintendent of police (SP), City, and the local intelligence unit (LIU) to prepare a report on homebuyers’ issues and submit the same by Wednesday night. The move comes in the wake of DM NP Singh’s office daily receiving eight to ten complaints from homebuyers who have not got possession of their flats despite long delays

The Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate (DM) has asked the directed the superintendent of police (SP), City, and the local intelligence unit (LIU) to prepare a report on homebuyers’ issues and submit the same by Wednesday night. The move comes in the wake of DM NP Singh’s office daily receiving eight to ten complaints from homebuyers who have not got possession of their flats despite long delays.

The PAN Oasis housing project was inspected by a team of officials from planning and other departments of Noida. (Hindustan Times)

According to the Noida authority, 86 group housing projects in various areas across the district have been delayed. Around one lakh homebuyers who might have moved in to their flats are still unable to get the registry of their flats done as the builders are yet to complete pending works in their projects due to financial crisis.

“Every day I forward all buyers’ complaints to the Noida authority that is legally bound to address the grievances. However, buyers are not satisfied with the authority’s response to their pending issues. So, the administration has decided to intervene as middle-class buyers are suffering for no fault of theirs,” said Singh.

“Once the report is in, we will call all stakeholders – be it buyers, builders or Noida authority officials. The administration will list all their problems pertaining to completion of the group housing projects. We will do our best to resolve all issues. If an issue is not being resolved, we will send the report to the state government,” said Singh.

“We want the report to clearly mention why a particular project has been delayed. The administration will give the builders a hearing too. If officials do not act on time, the state government will be informed,” he added.

The district administration is worried about homebuyers’ protests disturbing law and order. “Buyers’ protests are staged frequently, particularly on weekends, at different builders’ sites. We want to act before the matter gets out of hand,” said the DM.

The administration has also asked the SP City, Dinesh Yadav, to provide details of the people behind homebuyers’ campaigns on social networking sites or in the streets.

“We will interact with these buyers who have turned activists to get their flats and address their issues,” said a district administration official.

Meanwhile, Amit Modi, director of ABA Corp, and vice-president of the realtors’ body Credai (Western UP) said that buyers’ anger is justified, but they should cooperate with builders. “Today we have discussed the homebuyers’ issues at our meeting in Noida. Every builder wants to give possession at the earliest, but because of fall in sales in the realty market, builders are facing financial issues. Buyers should have a little more patience and work with the builders. The DM’s meeting is a good idea, but we should discuss solutions and the way out instead of just problems.”

Box: (NOT EDITED)

What is delaying group housing projects: Funds

Builders are failing to pay land dues to the Noida authority

Owing to non payment of dues, the Noida authority is not issuing occupation certificates (OC) to buildings

Without OC, a buyer cannot get possession of a flat

Builders say due to slowdown in realty market, builders are failing to raise funds and complete projects

Most home buyers say they have paid 95-100 percent flat cost

Builders say they are unable to sell unsold flats

Buyers demand the Noida authority should put all builders’ financial details on its website for transparency and accountability

District administration to ask the Noida authority to put builders details on website

DM steps in to ensure law and order is not affected with buyers’ protests