Supertech asks Gr Noida flat buyers to fork out extra

Despite Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi raising the issue of flat buyers of NCR on Saturday, there is no end to the woes of this helpless community. In a fresh trouble for thousands of flat buyers in Greater Noida (West), who have invested their hard-earned money in various projects and awaiting possession, have been served with notices to pay additional amounts ranging between Rs 1.75 and 10 lakh for getting possession.

Real estate giant, Supertech has demanded the money, claiming an increase in construction cost and super area. The company is constructing nearly 25,000 flats in three projects in Greater Noida (West). They would be handing over possession within one year period. If the same charges are levied by other builders, over 2,00,000 buyers in this area would be affected.

The buyers-cum-investors of Supertech’s Eco Village-I, II and III have claimed that despite paying more than 90 per cent cost of the flat, the realtor in its possession letter issued last week, has demanded extra which in some cases is as steep as Rs 10 lakh. The company has slapped ‘hidden charges’ on all buyers, which were not disclosed during the booking of flats. The builder has categorised its buyers in two – new and old. The old buyers, who had booked flats before 2011, have been asked to pay farmer compensation charges, interests on delayed payment, water connection charges, labour welfare charges, advance maintenance charges and power backup charges.

The new buyers, who had booked flats after 2013, have been asked to pay escalation charge, interest on delayed payment, water connection charge, labour welfare charge, advance maintenance charge, power backup charge.

The company has charged extra Rs 50 per sqm for farmers’ compensation, while nearly Rs 1.40 lakh as escalation charges from all categories. Interest for delayed payment is varying between Rs. 50,000 and Rs 8 lakh. The builder has charged Rs 25,000 for water connection and same amount for labour welfare.

“The company has put a huge burden on buyers who mainly come from lower middle-class and middle-class categories. Builder’s demand of extra money is totally illegal as cost of the flat cannot be hiked by increasing super area or balcony of the tower. They have threatened to charge Rs 5 per sqm per month if the dues were not cleared within 30 days of receiving the possession letter. This is unfortunate as there is no compensation to buyers for unprecedented delay in possession due to none of its fault,” said Indrish Gupta, co-founder of Noida Extension Flat Owners’ Welfare Association (NEFOWA).