For the past 26 years, residents of Navrachana and Jeevanbeema apartments in East Delhi’s IP Extension 2 have been demanding conversion of their flats from leasehold free hold. They have renewed their demand as no authority has, so far, made a serious effort to take the matter to its logical conclusion.
In 1990, when these flats were being allotted, representatives of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Registrar Cooperative Societies (RCS) were invited to certify authenticity of the draw of lots. But since neither turned up at the venue of the draw, the flats were allotted on a lease of 99-years period.
Hence, on completion of the time period, the flat owners will have to renew the lease by paying a stipulated amount. On the other hand, in case of a free-hold property, the owner does not need to pay any additional money to the government anytime in future.
A total of 98 flats in Navrachana and 70 in Jeevanbeema are awaiting conversion to free-hold. In 1992, the Delhi government appointed an administrator for verification of the members for the conversion. But the administrator, in turn, passed the buck to the Managing Committee of Apartments in 1994.
Ever since, the residents have been approaching Prime Minister Office (PMO), lieutenant governor of Delhi, the chief minister and deputy chief minister office, intermittently. Every time, they were assured of urgent action, but the matter was left to hang on.
According to Chandra Mohan, a resident of Navrachana apartments, 50 per cent of residents here are either retired employees or widows. “Since 1998, I have been running from one office to another to get our flats regularised. Our children do not have any idea about the issue. I wonder what will happen to our flats after us if they do not get free-hold status,” he said.
At present, Registrar Cooperative Societies is going into the matter. Once finished, it will send its report to DDA for approval. The DDA will then approve it within a month’s time.
Speaking to City Spidey, SR Sangar, secretary general, Federation of IP Extension-2, Co-operative Group Housing Societies (CGHS), said they have been sending reminders to various government agencies in the matter. He is hoped the incumbent Arvind Kejriwal led AAP government is putting in efforts to resolve the issue.”
