Journalists housing sites- caution note

www.nrihomes.com
This is an alert notice issued in the interest of general public and especially to NRI’s who wants to purchase residential plots at journalists colony, Hyderabad.

There are complaints and petitions pending before concerned govt., authorities and courts about these plots. One such complaint contains the following matter in brief. Be aware and inform to others.

Journalists housing sites- caution note

We are a group of media people fighting for ethics in journalism. We are deeply disturbed about the developments regarding housing sites of journalists. We are submitting some details for your consideration and necessary action

News papers are said to be the back bones of democracy. Regarding the press as the true spirit of democracy, the successive governments have been making it a point to provide them with house sites at far low price.
For example in third phase at Gopannapalli, Hyderabad, land was allocated at the rate of Rs.18,000/- per acre, a steep discount to the then prevailing market price, and the land value calculated at Rs.6/- per sq.yard only (G.O.MS.NO.1064(REV.) DATED 24-10-2003) for the registration purpose also.

But it is unfortunate that the very intension of the government is defeated, with the fact being contrary to the desired purpose. The sites which were given to the journalists as the third phase in Gopannapally are going into the hands of others. Even before the completion of two years of registration, one third of the sites have gone into the hands of others. The land is given only for constructing a house and not for selling it off at a higher price.

In the sale deed, it was clearly mentioned that if allotted journalist fails to construct the house within the period of stipulated, the housing society with the permission of the Registrar, resume the plot and allot it to another member.

Those sale deeds are subject to the conditions stipulated in G.O.M.S.No.519, dated 4-6-1994 and to the directions issued by the Registrar of the co-operative societies, A.P, under section 4(2) of the A.P. co-operative societies act in R.C.No. 21636/97/housing (1) dated 17th April 1997 and 16438/2000/Housing (1), dated 7-6-2000.

THE REGISTRAR OF COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES SAID IN THOSE DIRECTIONS THAT:
1 In the directions mentioned under R.C.21636/97/HOUSING(1), The Registrar of cooperative societies clearly mentioned that, allowing members to transfer the plots to other members or non-members is against the spirit of Co-cooperative principles. Transfer of the plot after getting the same through the society amounts to FRAUD. That orders also expressed concern about the transfers of plots by saying that transfer of plots by members for profiteering is assuming alarming proportions.

Under those circumstances the Govt. directed that, transfer of the plot to any member or non member shall not be permitted by the society, except to the legal heirs by inheritance. And it was stated that any transfer of plots in violation of the bye-laws shall be treated as illegal and the transferee should be treated as trespasser or encroacher. And it was stated that any member wants to transfer the plot within 15years of possession, the society shall have the first right of conveyance.

In the guidelines issued in February 2005, under G.O.No. 242, 243 and 244 also clearly mentioned that buying and selling of those allotted plots were banned.

The journalists housing society of Hyderabad also mentioned in its circular dated 14th April 2004 that BOTH SELLING AND BUYING OF PLOTS IN OUR COLONY MAY LEAD TO SOME COMPLICATINS.

In May 2004, the society sent show cause notices to many members mentioning that the said plots in Gopannapally should not be sold for a period of ten years.

WHAT THE SOCIETY BYELAWS SAID:

42-B(10). If a member fails to construct the house within the period stipulated, the society may resume the site and allot it to another member.

42-B(13). No person to whom a plot has been allotted shall alienate the same, with or without constructions thereon, to a member or any other non-member without the prior approval of the managing committee,

The society constitution directed that the construction of building with a loan is given to a member shall be commenced within three months. But this was not implemented. For example so many members took Provident Fund loan through The Journalists Housing Society of Hyderabad, to construct houses in Gopannapally. But no member constructed house, and some members sold their plots without constructing houses. Those sites or not free from encumbernce.


HOUNARABLE MINISTER OF REVENUE SRI DHARMANA PRASADA RAO SAID IN THE ANDHRA PRADESH ASSEMBLY ON 9TH DECEMBER 2005 THAT:
If any residential land allotted from government failed to construct house within a period of two years, the government will take back said land.

Since any allotted journalist not constructed houses at Gopannapally, it is a fit case to the Government to take back the entire plots and re-allotted to other journalists in waiting or to serve any other public purpose.

IN THIS CURCUMSTANCES WE REQUEST THAT:

1. Since land allocation, distribution, registration and implementing Government orders, Co-operative Societies act, supervising and regulating society’s lays in the hands of different authorities, we request to intervene and give directions to the concerned authorities to strictly follow rules and regulations.

2. We request that: In the third phase of society colony at Gopannapally, many plots were now in the hand of non-allotters. Since those transfers are illegal and in violation of co-operative spirit, we request that to nullify those transfers and restore the land rights to the allotted journalists. Unless the allotted journalist holds and enjoys the housing benefit there is no public cause to serve.

3. Only allotted journalists should be allowed to pocession and construct any structure on allotted land. Any other person or organisation should be treated as trespasser.

4. Only allotted journalists, and in the case of their death, legal heirs should be given permission to construct or modify a house up to 15(fifteen) years from the date of sale deed in favour of journalists. No other members or non-members of housing society shall not be permitted to construct house or any other structure up to 15(fifteen) years.