August 23, 2023: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is reviewing the eligibility criteria for the allotment of flats under its housing schemes, which allows one person to bid for only one unit, according to a Hindustan Times report. The move is aimed at boosting sales of the DDA flats by attracting more buyers.
The clause is aimed to provide affordable housing to a larger section of the population in Delhi and prevent hoarding. However, with an inventory comprising thousands of unsold flats, the DDA plans to do away with the condition.
According to a DDA official, the regulations were formulated in 1968. However, the city has changed over the years and NCR cities such as Noida and Gurgaon provide more housing choices for buyers. Since the demand for DDA flats has declined, such stringent conditions would only push the buyers to other markets. The agency plans to send a proposal to the union ministry of housing and urban affairs once it is approved by the authority, the media report said.
The DDA (Management and Disposal of Housing Estates) regulation, 1968, was issued under section 57 of DDA Act, 1957. Regulation 7 of these rules mention the eligibility of allotment of the flats.
According to the regulation, a housing unit or flat in the housing estates of the authority will be allotted only to such individual who or his wife/husband or any of his/her dependant relations, including unmarried children do not own in full or in part on freehold or leasehold basis a residential plot or house in the urban area of Delhi, New Delhi and Delhi Cantonment.
In March 2023, the ministry of housing and urban affairs approved relaxations to these norms in developing areas, where more than 25% of flats remained unsold six months after they were put up for sale. According to the new rules, any person having a flat or plot of land in Delhi, measuring less than 67 square metre is eligible to apply for the allotment of newly constructed flats offered by the DDA.
See also: Centre approves modification and relaxation in DDA’s housing regulations
The authority plans to do away with this rider, allowing everyone to apply for the available flats, irrespective of property ownership.
DDA to adopt PPP mode
According to the Hindustan Times report, the DDA is considering launching new housing schemes under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Till now, the land-owning agency has not partnered with any private firm for its residential projects. The report mentioned an official stating that private developers may help reduce costs and generate more buyer interest.
The DDA has been taking other measures to attract buyers. Recently, the authority said that it would allow the merging of two flats offered under the ongoing first-come-first-serve (FCFS) scheme with 5,600 flats on offer. This will enable buyers to own housing units of larger area at an affordable price.
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