Win lucky draw, get developed plots: Huda’s offer to oustees

GURUGRAM: Huda has come up with a new one-time scheme to settle claims of oustees, under which people whose land was acquired by the urban development authority to develop urban sectors will get plots in these sectors, once developed, through a draw of lots.

Under this policy, Huda will reserve 50% of available plots for those people whose land was acquired by Huda over the years to develop commercial, residential, institutional and industrial sectors in different urban areas of the state. After a draw, plots will be allotted to oustees at reserve price.

However, under the scheme, not all land losers (oustees) will be entitled to plots. Only those whose names come up in the lucky draw will get plots.

Over the years, in Gurgaon alone, land from several thousands of farmers was acquired for developing sectors 1-115. Simultaneously, commercial and residential sectors were launched in Faridabad, Rewari, Narnaul, Palwal, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonipat, Pinjor, etc. Under the new policy, several thousand people in these areas, who lost their lands, can also hope to get plots.

Two years ago, Huda had invited applications from these people, but some among them had approached the court. As a result, the draw of lots was cancelled.

The Punjab and Haryana high court then passed a judgement on August 30 — in the Shrikant Singh vs state of Haryana case — and upheld the one-time settlement policy.

A Huda official said land losers had filed a large number of litigations claiming residential plots, which are still pending with the courts.

“To minimise litigations and pain of affected people, Huda has now formed a ‘one-time settlement scheme’ to decide all claims pending in different courts,” he said.

He added Huda recognises that acquisition of land and alienation of land owners from their source of livelihood could be a painful process, notwithstanding the payment of compensation for the loss as per law. The policy is aimed at giving land losers a chance to get a piece of developed land in Huda sectors, on land acquired from them over the years.

On May 25, the high court had directed that a committee of law officers, in association with government officers, be formed, to examine all cases individually, to enable the competent authority to revisit the entire issue. Following this, Huda formed its new policy, which has been upheld by court.

Under the new policy, 50% of the available plots would be given to oustees through a lucky draw, at a reserve price.

As per the policy, if any oustee failed to apply for plots under this scheme, under the oustees claim, he/she would forfeit their rights for allotment of plots in the future.

Unlike the earlier policy, under which oustees were supposed to get plots in same or adjoining sectors for which their land was acquired, under the new one-time settlement scheme, they can get plots in any one of the sectors being developed, depending on availability of plots.

Source- ET Realty