Ghaziabad Development Authority told to deposit Rs 1,282 crore by Nov 29 for housing scheme

The divisional commissioner has given a conditional nod to GDA to initiate the process of land acquisition for Madhuban Bapudham housing scheme by directing it to deposit Rs 1,282 crore with the administration by November 29 before it begins the process.

Though district magistrate Ritu Maheshwari, who is also the vice chairperson of GDA, has expressed confidence that the money will be deposited by November 29, many still doubt its possibility.
“On Thursday, the commissioner had given go-ahead for awarding land compensation to farmers under Madhuban Bapudham housing scheme which will be now twice the circle rate. However, he has laid a pre-condition that GDA will have to deposit Rs 1,282 crore by November 29,” said an official. The Maduban Bapudham scheme, touted as the biggest housing scheme launched by GDA ever, was conceived in 2004. As per the plan, 1,234 acre was to be acquired from five villages namely Sadarpur, Mainapur, Morta, Nagla Patt and Yakutpur. Out of 1,234 acre, GDA managed to acquire 800 acre from farmers at a rate of 1,100 per sq m. But the farmers and Sahara group, who owned rest of the land, went to the high court demanding higher compensation.
As the Allahabad high court ruled in its favour, the GDA acquired another 153 acre. But 76 farmers who owned 281 acre in 2010, went to the Supreme Court against the high court decision. After seven years, the Supreme Court on November 30, 2016, overturned the HC order and gave its decision in favour of farmers, which meant that GDA had to give compensation to farmers which is twice the circle rate.
The SC had also said that the entire land acquisition issue be resolved in one year, that is, by November 29, 2017, failing which GDA will have to return the land to farmers.
Now with just four days to go before the SC deadline ends, GDA is still counting its money to pay compensation to farmers for land acquisition.
“If by November 29, if we fail to deposit the entire Rs 1,282 crore as directed by the commissioner, we run the risk of shelving Madhuban Bapudham housing scheme altogether,” said an official.


Source- ET Realty