Noida RWAs want properties to be freehold, will approach HC

NOIDA: The Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Association (FONRWA) is all set to challenge the Noida Authority’s leasehold policy of allotting land in the Allahabad high court. Federation office-bearers told TOI that the method of land allotment would be challeged in the court once it opens after the winter break.

“In the leasehold system, one will have to keep on buying his own property again and again. It is not logical that an entire city shall be on a leasehold model. So we are taking it up for residential allotments, commercial and industrial allotments. Our paperwork and documentation is ready. We demand that land already allotted and sold in Noida, be made freehold,” N P Singh, president, Fonrwa, said.

The objectives of the authority were to acquire land in the notified area through government of UP under Land Acquisition Act, 1894 or by way of agreement to allot plot or properties as per regulations, to regulate the construction of buildings and setting up industries and to provide infrastructure and amenities. However, all allotments for the past 40 years in Noida have been via leaseholds. Typically, the leasehold in Noida is for 90 years.

“We challenge the allotments on the basis of lease. Going by it, most property owners would have to renew their lease in 50 years time from now. So it means that our children will have to buy their own inherited property once again,” Singh said. Though FONRWA has added the city’s industrial land allotment in its draft petition, the city industrialists did not seem to be one with them.

“We do not think going freehold will work for the industries because Noida being primarily an industrial body, we get various facilities and maintenance support from them. We do sympathise for the residential and housing sectors when it comes to demanding freehold ownership, but for industrialists, leasehold works better,” Vipin Malhan, president, Noida Entrepreneurs Association, said.

Source : ET Realty