P N VERMA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition highlights the various types of difficulties that have to be faced by the Delhi Development Authority (hereinafter called 'the DDA') and allottees of houses in Delhi in the implementation of the former's Self Financing Schemes (hereinafter referred to as 'the SFS') which have now caught on, not only in Delhi but also elsewhere in India, as perhaps one of the practical and effective solutions to meet the country's shortage of housing accommodation and to forestall speculation and racketeering by private agencies at the cost of the ordinary citizen. The controversy arises out of the first of such schemes inaugurated by the DDA in 1977.

(2.) The DDA announced in the newspapers towards the end of August, 1977 (e.g. vide 'Hindustan Times' dt. the 28th Aug. 1977) the introduction by it of a new scheme under which it sought to enable people interested in having a flat in Delhi to "own your house". Para 2 of the announcement read :

(3.) Under the scheme, the DDA proposed to construct three categories of multi-storied flats, viz., Categories I, II and III the broad accommodation available under each of which was indicated. Persons who registered under the Scheme had to pay a sum of Rs. 10,000.00 on registration and the "payment of cost of flat" was to be made on instalment basis according to the following schedule: