Every time the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) launches a housing scheme, it draws tremendous interest from the city residents.
The difference this time is the response from non-resident Indians (NRIs), who have bombarded the DDA office with queries about its upcoming scheme.
This also belies recent reports that the NRI community’s interest in Indian property was falling due to the revival of the real estate markets in the US and Europe.
Since the news about the DDA’s upcoming scheme came out on January 7, the authority’s office has received 400-500 enquiry calls from NRIs based in the US and South Africa.
“Telephones at the housing department have not stopped ringing since the announcement was made,” a DDA official said.
“Government housing schemes always generate a lot of interest because as compared to private housing schemes, they are priced lower. They are also considered a safer bet in terms of authenticity.”
DDA’s new scheme
While the DDA is yet to confirm the total number of flats under the new scheme, there could be 1,000-3,000 units spread across Narela, Dwarka and Rohini. Some of the flats from earlier schemes may also be put up for rebidding.
The official said the sudden interest, particularly among NRIs, is due to the location and basic facilities available in DDA flats.
“Be it water, electricity or sewage system, when it comes to government flats, these facilities work smoothly as compared to private housing complexes,” he said.
Under the new scheme, there will be flats raging from one room tenement to three-bedroom flats. A person above the age of 18 years, residing in any part of the country, can apply for the scheme provided he does not own any residential flat or plot in full or in part on leasehold or freehold basis in Delhi either in their name or in the name of their spouse.
“Buying a house/flat in Delhi from a private builder is impossible. Government flats are comparatively cheaper,” Kabid Choudhury, an NRI living in Chicago who enquired about the DDA scheme, told Mail Today.
DDA offices to get biometric system
A biometric-electronic time and attendance recording system will soon greet DDA officials at their Vikash Sadan office in Delhi.
The Delhi Development Authority, which is trying to bring punctuality among its staff, has invited e-tender for the same on its website.
Mail Today had reported on December 25 last year (in picture) that DDA vicechairperson Deverakonda Diptivilasa issued memos to 150 officials, including 21 senior officials, demanding an explanation for their unscheduled absence from work for multiple days.
“Hopefully, with the new attendance recording system, the unscheduled absences can be controlled,” an official said.
