CHB’s pricing puts homeownership out of reach for common man
EWS flats in proposed housing scheme in Sector 53 priced at ?55 lakh
The UT Administration’s housing policies have come under fire for allegedly prioritising profits over affordability, making homeownership a distant dream for the common man.
In the proposed Sector 53 housing scheme, EWS flats are priced at a staggering Rs 55 lakh.
In 2003, the administration acquired land for a mere Rs 5 lakh per acre, and now, the same land is being used to construct flats that are being sold at market rates. This sharp contrast has raised serious concerns about the administration’s approach to housing. Despite a growing demand for affordable homes, no low-cost housing scheme has been launched in the past 12 years.
The situation is further aggravated by the long-pending Housing Employees Scheme of 2008, in which 3,930 government employees have been waiting for their promised flats for 16 years.
Though the Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled in favour of the employees, the administration challenged the decision in the Supreme Court.
The Sector 53 project will include 192 flats in HIG (High-Income Group) category, 100 flats in MIG (Medium-Income Group) category and 80 flats in EWS (Economically Weaker Section) category.
According to the proposed pricing structure, HIG (3BHK flat) will cost nearly Rs 1.65 crore, MIG (2BHK flat) will cost nearly Rs 1.40 crore and EWS (1BHK flat) will cost nearly Rs 55 lakh.
The Administration defends the high rates, citing the 2012 directive from the central government, which prohibits land allotment below market price. Currently, the collector rate stands at Rs 70,424 per square yard, making it impossible for the administration to offer cheaper land for housing schemes.
“The Housing Board was formed to provide homes at nominal rates. But now, it is working like a private builder, selling flats at high prices. While cheaper and bigger flats are available in Panchkula and Mohali, no affordable housing scheme has been launched in 12 years,” said RK Garg, president, Second Inning Association.
