Haryana Approves Affordable Housing Policy, Forms Society Maintenance Rules

On May 30, the Haryana Cabinet took a number of decisions that would significantly impact the state’s housing sector and property markets. While approving an affordable housing policy for its core municipalities, the state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, also approved a policy to legalise unauthorised constructions.

The affordable housing policy

In line with the Centre’s Housing for all mission, the state on Wednesday approved its Housing for All, 2018, policy. Under the new policy, housing projects would be allowed in an area not less than one acre and not more than five acres. The floor area ratio (FAR) for such projects would range between 250 and 275.

In hyper-potential zones, developers will have to pay Rs 4,000 per square foot (psf) as allotment rate. Rates for land in high-potential zones have been kept at Rs 3,000 psf while rates for land in medium-potential zones are Rs 2,500 psf. For land in low-potential zones, builders will be paying Rs 2,100 psf. 

Developers would not have to pay any licence fee or internal development charges to buy land. However, they will be paying scrutiny fees and external development charges rates (EDC) .

Those allotted units under the scheme would be provided financial assistance of Rs. 2.5 lakh. Of this, Rs 1.5 lakh will come from the Centre and Rs 1 lakh from the state.

While allotting the units, preference would be given to the physically challenged, senior citizens, people from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, minorities, single women, transgenders and other weaker and vulnerable sections of the society.

Relief for unauthorised constructions

In core municipalities of the state, the state had decided to provide relief to unauthorised commercial constructions and residential units, which are being used as commercial ones illegally. While unauthorised commercial constructions will be extended one-time relief, residential units being illegally used as commercial one would get a window to become legal.

Regularisation of unauthorised commercial construction will be permitted for only 10 years. Within that period, the applicant will have to create a new structure in compliance with the building bye-laws. In order to monitor the progress in this regard, a central database of all information pertaining to illegal construction would be created.

Changes in society maintenance rules

The state has also approved an amendment to the Haryana Registration and Regulations of Societies Rules, 2012. Now, housing societies in Haryana will not charge more than Rs 10,000 as transfer fee in case of change of ownership of apartment. Housing societies will also have to fix charges for maintenance of common area and facilities on the basis of the size of the apartment.

The amendment also allows for an extension of time limit for obtaining new registration number by the existing societies registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

New water management authority

The state will set up the Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority to manage all ponds located outside notified forest areas in the state. The authority would, however, have no control over ponds spread in an area of less than 0.5 acre.

Now, people will be allowed to occupy or construct on pond land, a green belt and catchment areas. Obstruction of water flow from the pond would also be a punishable offence. A fine of up to Rs 25,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three months, or both, could be charged on violators.

Change in water charges

The state has also revised water rates for "irrigation purpose" and "other than irrigation purpose" by amending the Haryana Canal and Drainage Rules, 1976. The rates for irrigation purposes are being revised after 18 years.

With inputs from Housing News