| Font Size |
The administration, in a major amendment in the existing policy, has allowed the holders of the General Power of Attorney (GPA) to own property in their name after paying the required charges. In addition, the sale of the property would now be possible after a period of 5 years rather than waiting for 15 years.
Sources in the administration said the transfer of property would however come at a price. A formula is being worked out where the GPA holders or the new buyers will have to give 33 per cent of the unearned increase — that is the difference between the allotment price and the market price of the property - to the administration to get the property registered under the name of the new owner.
But the decision of the reduction of the lock-in period from 15 years to 5 years is being hailed widely by a cross-section of residents who feel it was long overdue.
However, R P Malhotra, president of the social organisation Samadhan, today issued a statement saying: “Now, by allowing the GPA holders for transfer on the payment of 33 per cent of the unearned profit, the officialdom of the Chandigarh administration is either confused or taking the public for a ride. This is the height of commercialisation and adhocism of policies. The administration must check their records before issuing such revenue generating policies in the name of making hassle-free rules. The policies so framed must synchronise with the existing polices.”
Those criticising the administration’s move say it already has a policy for the conversion of the leasehold built up sites where the lease has been granted to the cooperative house building societies, army welfare housing societies, central government societies, CHB for residential purposes in respect of all sizes of plots into freehold basis on the payment of nominal fee in the name of GPA.
Meanwhile, officials in the administration say that the change in the existing rules would mean increase in the revenue for the administration as the state exchequer has been losing crores as the sale of property through the GPA was not registered earlier.
While Jaidev Sharma, Chairman of Chandigarh Housefed, said the decision would reduce litigation and would thus benefit the common man with its hassle free approach, most of the residents of over 100 housing societies in the Phase III sectors of the city feel that the move would bring a more transparent working of the managements of the housing society. “With the GPA owners getting the ownership in their name, they can have their say in the running of the particular housing society in which they reside. The stakes of the original owners and the GPA holders would be more even now,” said a Sector 48 resident.
Discuss this story on expressindia forums
|
|