Friday, June 10, 2016

DDA takes over 500cr property after 36 years - Times of India

DDA takes over 500cr property after 36 years - Times of India:



New Delhi: Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Friday took possession of a four-storeyed building at Jhandewalan valued at Rs 500 crore following orders of lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung. The property also houses an income-tax department office.


DDA officials said the decision was taken on a Supreme Court order authorising the land-owning agency to take possession of the property. Constructed over an area of 5,000 square yards, the property has a built-up area of 1.2 lakh sq feet. "We decided to take possession of the building on the orders of Supreme Court and on directions of the LG," said Arun Goel, DDA vice-chairman.

Principal commissioner (land disposal and housing) JP Aggarwal said, "The building currently houses an income tax department office and 24 other small units. The possession of the premises was taken over without any problem."

Officials said the land was given on lease to a private firm in 1948 for construction of a cold storage for a period of 20 years. But the firm violated the lease clause and sold it to another company, which constructed the building. "DDA terminated the lease and it was challenged in court. The matter continued for 36 years. Recently, the SC ruled in our favour," said a DDA official.

The LG has ordered an inquiry into collusion of DDA officials in the case and bring the culprits to book within a week.
The agency, however, has no plans to disturb the existing setup. Sources said the I-T department has agreed to pay rent to DDA. "We will now look into the rent paid by the tenants. We will revise it, if required. There are no plans to disturb the setup of the I-T department as it is a government organisation. The agency will soon decide what to do with the 24 smaller units," said a senior official.

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