Overcharging: Housing Board fined Rs 2.99 lakh in two cases
Ishrat S Banwait
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 11
The Chandigarh Housing Board has been penalised by the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission here for overcharging in two cases.
While deciding the two cases together, the CHB has been asked to pay a total of Rs 2.99 lakh to the complainants.
As per the complaints of Varinder Kumar Sharma and Suresh Chand Gupta, the CHB launched a scheme for residents of the city for allotment of flats on a 99-year leasehold basis in Sector 63. The scheme opened on March 31, 2008, and last date to apply in it was April 30, 2008. The total number of two bed room flats offered
was 836.
Sharma deposited Rs 2. 91 lakh against the total price of Rs 29.14 lakh. He was successful in the draw of lots and was given the fifth floor under the revised scheme. It was further stated that it was not mentioned that the parking area under stilt would be chargeable to the tune of Rs 1 lakh.
The brochure mentioned the amount of Rs 29.14 lakh to be inclusive of the cost of parking as well. On being asked orally and in order to save his allotment, the complainant also deposited Rs.5.67 lakh on April 25, 2013, on account of interest, taxes, escalation cost of construction charges and other charges, which was within 18 months.
However, Sharma was shocked to see that in the allotment letter dated October 10, 2015, the interest component charged was shown as Rs 2. 67 lakh and service tax charged on total consideration was Rs 1.05 lakh.
Other issues surfaced once Sharma got the possession of the flat, in question, on November 19, 2015, as he found that there was no POP work on the ceiling, lifts were not working, roads were not constructed and electricity connection was also not there and even working and testing of the firefighting system was still under process.
The CHB in its reply said allotment was to be made on the basis of the “Self-Financing Scheme” where every allottee was required to make 100 per cent payment of the chargeable price of the flat before he actually gets the possession of the same. It was further stated that the complainant must realise, understand and consider various natural and unforeseen hindrances and circumstances, which take time in completing the project/construction work.
The commission, however, found the CHB guilty and directed it to refund the amounts of Rs 2,16,358 and Rs 30,947 to Sharma and Gupta, respectively, along with Rs 20,000 to Sharma and Rs 10,000 to Gupta along with Rs 11,000 each as litigation charges.
