Chandigarh: GMADA did not ensure EWS housing in private projects
The annual audit and inspection report for the financial year 2013-14 has revealed that the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) failed to ensure that residential projects of private builders had affordable housing for economically weaker sections (EWS) of the society.
Drawing attention to the evident lapse on the part of GMADA to ensure affordable housing for EWS, the audit report said that Section 5(9) of the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA) provides for a stipulated reservation of 10 percent for EWS housing by builders developing residential projects expanding in a land area of 40 hectares or more.
However, as per the audit report, records have revealed that, during the period between 2006 and 2013, GMADA issued a number of licences to promoters and developers for mega projects and residential buildings; but did not ensure that these projects offered affordable housing for EWS.
The audit report has alleged that GMADA took “no concrete steps” to get affordable houses built for and allotted to weaker sections in mega projects undertaken by private builders.
Though GMADA officials claim that builders have earmarked areas for EWS housing in their projects, the report said: “As a concession to promote affordable housing, the change of land use (CLU) charges, external development charges (EDC) and licence fee were not charged from promoters for the area reserved for EWS.”
Source – The Indian Express
EWS housing, GMADA, Greater Area Development Authority (GMADA), Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act
