Now, govt can sell EWS, BPL houses to general category

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 1

Effecting a major tweak in its housing policy, the BJP-JJP government has allowed the sale of plots and flats meant for the allotment to the economically weaker sections (EWS) and below poverty line (BPL) persons to the general category.

“For the unsold inventory lying with the Housing Board, Haryana, so far, one last and final opportunity will be given to the targeted beneficiaries (EWS/BPL) and thereafter, the remaining inventory may be sold to the general category beneficiaries of the Haryana domicile,” the policy issued by the Town and Country Planning Department said.

The policy said since repeated efforts of the housing board had not received the required response from the EWS/BPL categories, the state government had allowed the sale of these properties to the general category.

The housing board is the coordinating agency for the allotment of flats and plots earmarked for the EWS/BPL beneficiaries by the private builders in the licensed colonies.

“In the forthcoming schemes, two attempts will be made by the housing board to sell the new properties to the targeted beneficiaries. Thereafter, these properties may be sold by the housing board to the general category beneficiaries,” the policy said.

Under the scheme, 20 per cent of the total number of residential plots is reserved for the EWS/BPL categories while 15 per cent of the residential flats in the group housing society are reserved for this category.