Protesting against the promised resumption of work on the stalled project not taking place, VUDA Harita Allottees’ Association took to the streets opposing any move to increase the cost of units allotted to them.
Addressing the press after protests, called Harita Garjana, at NTR statue and VUDA office on Sunday, president of the association G.A.N. Bhukta said not adhering to the timeline had raised serious doubts over whether there would be further delay in the completion of the much-delayed project in spite of the proactive measures announced by the VUDA Vice-Chairman and the government since February.
A number of allottees gathered at the NTR statue and raised slogans holding placards protesting the delay and opposing raising the cost. The protest was later organised at VUDA office too.
Sold as the Singapore type project, the high hopes raised by VUDA were dashed with the incomplete project, left to the elements, staring the allottees in their face, Prof. Bhukta pointed out. On the top of it, the allottees were paying EMIs on the home loans taken, abnormal home rents, but were losing tax benefits, he said.
He demanded that the apartments be allotted to them at the originally committed and agreed upon rates without any additional burden as they had suffered on all counts owing to the delay, maintain the promised quality and to complete and hand over the project within the next 18 months as announced recently. He said of the 700-odd allottees, 300 subscribed to the membership of the association and another 200 would join.
‘VUDA responsible’
Holding VUDA responsible for the delay, actor Mishro said the middle class allottees were paying a price for it now. The original amount of Rs.20 lakh itself was a big amount for them and how VUDA was justified in further increasing the cost, he asked.
A builder and member of Builders’ Association of India Ch. Ramakotaiah demanded that immediate relief be provided to the allottees and said though VUDA was a government organisation it could not enjoy immunity.
