Noida: On Sunday, hundreds of homebuyers protested at Ek Murti Chowk demanding the handover of flats by developers who have not fulfilled their promise of timely delivery of homes and its subsequent registry. Protesters threatened a “massive agitation” in upcoming days and said that they would continue to demonstrate every week until their demands get fulfilled.
Buyers of over 15 group housing projects like Upcountry, Supertech Eco Village 1, 2, and 3, Apex Golf Avenue, Jm Florence, Casa Greens One, Amaatra Homes, Ajnara Homes, Earthcon, La Residentia, and more protested on Sunday demanding handover of flats.
“In many societies of Greater Noida West, the registry of flats has been stuck for a long time. There are thousands of homebuyers who haven’t been handed their flats even after years. It’s Christmas today. Instead of celebrating it, we are here, protesting under the statue of Gautam Buddha for what is rightfully ours,” said Mr. Abhiskek Kumar, President of the Noida Extension Flat Owners’ Welfare Association (NEFOWA).
Kumar also said that they would not buy assurances now. The government cannot ignore the problems of home buyers like this. They should start the registry of flats immediately. Those who have not got their flats for 12 years should be given ownership now without any further delay.
A stalemate has continued for four years over the interest at which builders should pay the development authorities for the delay in clearing land dues.
This has held up the registries of thousands of flats, with the authorities asserting that developers pay first. Credai, the body of developers has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court over the interest rate. A hearing is scheduled for 19 January.
Their sustained campaign on the streets and online prompted Noida MP Mahesh Sharma to raise in the Lok Sabha the issue of delayed handover of flats.
A flat without a registry creates a serious threat to the buyers, they do not become the legal owners until the registry. Financial institutions charge high interest on home loans. The private banks do not give any home improvement loans. The flats cannot be sold as they would not fetch a proper price in absence of a registry, said Mihir Gautam, one of the protesters.
Follow and Connect with us: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram
