DDA told to reserve flats for two

NEW DELHI: Two applicants, who were shortlisted in the DDA housing scheme of 2008 but are yet to receive a flat despite vacancies, have moved the Delhi high court. The court has now asked DDA to provisionally reserve a flat for each of them.
Justice S Muralidhar on Friday admitted a plea challenging the DDA's decision to carry forward 172 extra flats available under the 2008 scheme and merge them with the 2010 scheme.The applicants cried foul, pointing out that the 172 flats were meant for those on the waitlist and not for the 2010 scheme.
HC also issued notice to the housing body asking it to explain its stance by way of an affidavit by April 19, and asked it to reserve a flat each for Chhavi Aggarwal and Upen Batra till the court takes a decision on the duo's petition. Appearing for the petitioners, advocate R K Saini argued the names of his clients, who had applied under 2008 DDA housing scheme, had figured in the waiting list.
In December 2009, DDA had informed the petitioners that their names figured in the waiting list and 172 flats under 2008 scheme would be available for the 200 odd shortlisted applicants, the counsel submitted.
However, no offer was given to the petitioners for several months. This forced them to file an application under the RTI Act in August 2010 to find out the status of the extra flats. Finally in December last year, they were informed that the proposed allotment of flats to people in the waiting list was cancelled and these flats have been included in the 2010 housing scheme. Saini argued this was illegal.
"The petitioners were kept in dark for several months and also misled them under the promise that the draw was in process," the petition plea alleged, seeking relief from HC.
The draw under the housing scheme 2010 will be held on 18{+t}{+h} or 19{+t}{+h} April, as per the DDA. This was conveyed to the Delhi high court by the DDA counsel during the hearing on the plea filed by Chhavi Aggarwal and Upen Batra.