GHAZIABAD: A six-member committee has been established to investigate delays in allotting residential units in the EWS and LIG categories by private developers. This action comes in response to complaints regarding developers’ procrastination in handing over possession to beneficiaries.
“It is mandatory for group housing developers to allocate 10% of total flats for the EWS and another 10% for the LIG category. We have been instructed to compile reports on the number of flats constructed by developers in these categories as well as those that remain undelivered,” an official from GDA stated.
“The committee will produce a detailed zone-wise report on the status of flats in the LIG and EWS categories. Developers found at fault will be given the opportunity to explain the delays; if warranted, the GDA will revoke map approvals,” the official added.
A status report for 2024 indicates that out of 4,860 EWS flats designated for construction by integrated township developers, only 1,717 have been completed, with 1,455 already allotted. Similarly, of the 4,860 LIG flats, only 1,255 have been constructed.
Developers are required to advertise EWS and LIG flats in their projects, with beneficiaries expected to apply for these flats through the GDA. Once available, the flats will be distributed via a lottery system overseen by a GDA-appointed committee.
Flats in the LIG category are priced at approximately Rs 9 lakhs, while EWS flats are around Rs 6 lakhs. The size specifications range from 24 to 36 square meters for EWS flats and from 40 to 60 square meters for LIG flats.
A developer who chose to remain anonymous mentioned, “While most developers intend to meet their obligations, there are practical challenges leading to delays. Constructing flats in the EWS and LIG categories is currently not economically viable due to rising land and construction costs since the original regulations were established.”
The GDA has stated that if a developer’s project occupies less than 4 hectares, they can request an exemption from building EWS and LIG flats by paying a shelter fee, which is equivalent to the cost of 10% of both LIG and EWS flats. “However, in several cases, developers are reluctant to pay the shelter fee. This issue is currently under review,” the GDA official noted.
