Gurugram: Is the builders' lobby taking the Haryana Government for a ride? A recent RTI by social activist Harinder Dhingra has revealed that in just a year (March 2017 to March 2018), the pending External Development Charges (EDC) have increased from Rs 13,855 crores to Rs 15,250 crores.
Moreover, in the four years of the M L Khattar government, the pending External Development Charges have increased from Rs 6,198 crores. As much as 70 per cent of the builders who are defaulters have their projects in Gurugram.
Most of the new projects in Gurugram lack proper roads, power connections, and sewage facilities. The main reason cited for lack of social infrastructure is the huge External Development Charges amount that is unaccounted for.
Taking a strict stance, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the state government to make builders pay the pending amount so that it can be used for the welfare of homebuyers. Subsequently, the Haryana government has created various leeways for builders to pay the amount.
Yet, it seems that the move has not succeeded. However, Most of the builders have shied away in the amount in providing proper roads, sewage and providing other key maintenance services. Most also claim that they are under heavy debt and, therefore, not able to utilise the amount.
Various resident groups have been protesting for long over the huge charges being levied without any corresponding services being provided in return.
"Most of the builders in their heydays were in a position to extract exorbitant charges from the buyer and not be transparent in their dealings. Because they felt they could get away, they used it in some other activities and today many of us buyers are suffering," said Ranjith Rai, a city resident who stays in Sector 85.
"The role of both the private builders and even the government should be fixed in this issue," he further added.
"We have been raising this issue for a long time and we have been able to keep this issue relevant because of the persistence of homebuyers who wanted to know how their money has been spent. Those who have cheated the homebuyers pretending to sell them their dream homes should be brought to book," said Rashmi Rai, a city resident.