The Delhi Development Authority, which would be holding on Tuesday the keenly awaited draw of lots for its biggest housing scheme till date, has been found to be “highly oppressive” and exploiting its dominant position by denying allotment of flats to four persons for over a decade and revising the prices without any justification. The Delhi State Commission has in four similar cases found that the DDA at first floated the second Self Financing Scheme (Commercial Flats), 1985, for allotment of commercial flats. Admitting delay in starting work on the project, it offered allottees some ready-built flats. It, however, took over 14 years to issue a demand letter and that too at revised prices.

“The facts and circumstances of this case amply prove that the appellant (DDA) have exploited their dominant position in delaying the allotment of flat and also demanding an amount to be deposited by way of a different schedule from time to time and revising their prices without any justification, cause or reason thereof,” said a Bench of S.A. Siddiqui and S.C. Jain. “…the conduct of DDA in denying the possession to the respondent till date is highly oppressive, constituting not only deficiency of service but also unfair trade practice as defined in the Consumer Protection Act,” the Commission added. (Nov 24, 2014)

The Commission was hearing four similar appeals filed by the civic agency through its Vice-Chairman against the order of District Consumer Forum which had directed the land agency to allot and deliver possession of commercial flats to complainants for the same price as was mentioned in the demand letter or alternatively any other commercial flat of the same area in the same locality for the same price. In one of the four matters, one Rajesh Kumar registered under the 1985 scheme by paying Rs.20,000 registration fee.

Source and read more: The Hindu