DDA may auction CWG flats for public sector

NEW DELHI: Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is going ahead with its proposal to auction its share of CWG Village flats to public sector undertakings (PSUs).
On May 26, there will be a meeting of the land agency where a proposal to amend DDA’s housing regulations will be tabled. If this is passed, it would allow allotment or auction of flats to government agencies or PSUs.The amendment is necessary as under the present policy, DDA can only auction flats to individuals. DDA sources say the proposal is likely to be cleared, in which case it would facilitate the sale of flats to state entities like Delhi Police, besides MPs and MLAs.
“We had sent a proposal to the ministry of urban development for the same. They sent it back, saying that while relaxation in the policy was not possible, an amendment in the housing regulations would allow DDA to carry out such auctioning,” said an official.
The proposal will enable the DDA to put up over 600 flats from its share of 723 in the Games Village could be made for sale of flats to the government sector, on the lines of the Asiad Village after the 1982 Games. The land agency intends to first carry out an auction of 100 flats to ascertain the base price of the flats. “This would be the benchmark for tenders for auction or allotment to institutions,” a senior official explained. This proposal, too, is pending with the ministry. DDA officials admitted that the agency had received several requests from various government quarters for allotment of flats in the Village. This includes the Central Vigilance Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor General’s office. Originally, the DDA's share in the Village was one-third of the total flats, around 390. But after the financial bailout to Emaar-MGF, the number of flats in the land agency's kitty went up by 333 flats, to 723.
Meanwhile, the issue of giving a completion certificate to the Games Viilage is still pending. “Waterproofing of the basement is still going on and the completion certificate can only be given once this exercise has been completed. Around 300 labourers are working on this. We will complete majority of the work before the monsoon, but the final touches will only be given after that season is over,” said a DDA official.