Date of Filling :14.07.2014
Date of Disposal :06.11.2015
DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL FORUM, THIRUVALLUR
PRESENT: THIRU. S.PANDIAN, B.Sc., L.L.M., … PRESIDENT
TMT. S.SUJATHA,B.Sc., … MEMBER-I
CC.45/2014
Tuesday, the 06th day of November 2015
Kandhaswamy Mariappan,
S/o Mariappan
Block C, 6/82, III Floor,
Kendriya Vihar, Paruthipattu Post,
Avadi, Chennai - 600 071. …Complainant
/Vs/
- The Chief Executive Officer,
Central Government Employees Welfare Housing Organization,
6th Floor, A Wing, Japath Bhavan,
Janpath, New Delhi- 110 001.
- The Project Manager,
Central Government Employees Welfare Housing Organization,
Kendriya Vihar -II, Block No.C-5/58, 1st Floor,
Paruthipattu, Avadi, Chennai- 600 071.
- The Project Engineer,
Central Government Employees Welfare Housing Organization,
Kendriya Vihar -II, Block No.C-5/58, 1st Floor,
Paruthipattu, Avadi, Chennai- 600 071.…Opposite Parties
….
This Complaint is coming upon before us finally on 30.10.2015 in the
Presence of Thiru.R.Pandian, Advocate on the side of the complainant and Thiru.M.krishnamurthy, Advocate for the opposite parties and upon hearing arguments on the side of the complainant and perused the documents and evidence, this Forum delivered the following,
ORDER
PRONOUNCED BY THIRU. S. PANDIAN, PRESIDENT
This Complaint is filed by the complainant U/S 12 of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 against the opposite party seeking direction that the opposite party has to pay compensation of Rs.7,50,000/- towards negligent and deficiency of service with interest.
The Brief averments of the complaint as follows:
1. The complainant is a retired teacher in Space Central School, ISRO, Sriharikotta and came across Central Government Employees Organization (CGEWHO), in housing scheme promulgated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India, Extended to all Central Government Employees and decided to apply for the same. That the opposite parties had quoted the price of Type C dwelling unit at Rs.13,05,000/- by duly mentioning in their brochure and the complainant made an application as prescribed by the CGEWHO rules on 04.11.2006 by paying an earnest money deposit of Rs.50,000/- along with Rs.700/- towards application and Rs.50/-towards Registration Fee, for which the CGEWHO had allotted type C flat No.51, vide communication dated 08.11.2006
2. That the complainant further received a communication dated 29.10.2007 stating that, due to increase in whole sale price indices, the cost of the project was increased by 8.2% and the complainant was further intimated on the cost to be paid along with 6th and final installment. But there was no such apparent increase in the raw materials market, which would give rise to a steep increase of 8.2%. The opposite parties by way of a circular dated 01.02.2011, but again the wait was in vain, as the complainant had received yet another circular from the opposite party dated 29.07.2011 stating that the project would be completed only in the month of August 2011.
3. The opposite party had sent a another communication dated 16.01.2012
to the complainant that by stating that if the complainant had not taken possession of the flat on 30.06.2012, he would be liable to pay Rs.2000/- per month as maintenance, as if the complainant was least bothered to take possession of the flat. It was a matter of deliberate delay on the part of the opposite parties in completion of the construction of the flat. In fact, the complainant was ready to occupy since the inception of the project. As the complainant was forced to retain the Government Quarters after his retirement from service. The complainant was constrained to rent a house at Chennai at huge competitive rates till June 2012 when the opposite party had given the actual possession of the apartment, that too without fulfilling the promise of providing the community hall and children play area, which were parts of the amenities to be provided as specified as salient features in the brochure.
4. The complainant suffers in assessment and payment the property tax
which are due to the Municipal Authorities, as the property still stands in the name of the Project Manager in their records. The electricity connection for the dwelling unit is still in the name of the Project Manager and not in the name of the complainant. The opposite party had executed a sale deed in favour of the complainant in December 2011 itself, whereas the actual possession was done only in June 2012, thereby causing vast delay giving rise to immense mental agony as well as heavy fiscal loss to the complainant, which is deficiency of service. Therefore the complainant had caused a legal notice to the opposite parties dated 14.11.2013, for which the opposite parties remained dear without redressing the grievance. Hence this complaint.
The contention of the written version of the opposite parties as brief as follows:
5. The opposite parties that one of the unit of the Central Government Employees Welfare Housing Organization an autonomous body under Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India. This for the welfare of the Government servants the opposite parties have been carrying out Housing Projects at various places throughout India and retired Government employees are also entitled to claim the housing benefit from these opposite parties. The opposite parties submit that Chennai phase-II scheme project was launched during the year 2006 and accordingly these opposite parties floated a scheme for inviting the prospective allottees for availing the flats in the place which is situated in Paruthipattu, Avadi Poonamallee Road, Chennai- 71. As per the scheme these opposite parties had stipulated CGEWHO Rules for Chennai, Housing scheme and mentioned the terms and conditions and indicated about the likely date of commencement of project and to conclude the approximate time for completing the same. As per the scheme the proposed project was likely to commence in the year 2006 and would be completed within 30 months from the date.
6. The opposite party planned a scheme for the construction of 37 blocks for 572 dwelling units, comprising of stilt plus 4 floors measuring an extent of 12.52 acres. On that basis allottees have approached these opposite parties to select the flats ranging from 550 sq.ft. to 1500 sq.ft. in the form of A,B,C,D categories of flats. During that time these opposite parties have fixed the price at tentative cost of Rs.1041/- per sq.ft. including the cost of land. As per the Central Government Employees Welfare Housing Organization (CGEWHO) rules 4 relates to the eligibility of the qualifying allottees to avail the housing facilities Rule 7 I to VI relates to payment schedule, escalation cost, interest, cooperative society charges stamp duty, reserve found, statutory levies etc., The said project has been commenced with an intention to provide the housing facilities to the allottees on the basis of no profit no loss. That means whatever the amount to be received from the allottees has to be invested in the project by taking only administrative and overhead expenses.
7. According to the eligibility of the sources of income the allottees have been divided into A,B,C,D type flats. As per this provision the complainant has been allotted type C flat measuring an extent of 1250 sq. ft. for a total sale consideration of Rs.13,05,000/-. The said amount has been paid on the basis of the installment scheme from the date of allotment until the date of completion of entire flat.
8. That, they originally intended to go for the open foundation in the above
said place for the construction of flats to the allottees and subsequently after the inspection made by the IIT of Madras Engineers the proposal of open foundation has been changed and these opposite parties had gone for the pile foundation in respect of the apartments as stated supra. During that time more than 2800 piles have ben erected in the above said place before the commencement of the basement for various apartments. Delay in according approval from statutory bodies CMDA, Municipality, Soil testing, foundation, details from IIT Madras, non availabilities of materials and severe monsoon had caused a considerable delay from the commencement date to completion of the project. The project commenced only during the year 2007 and completed in the year 2012. It is pertinent to mention that the opposite parties original intention is to go for isolated footing also being considered a safe, though subsequently these opposite parties came to know that the location of the property reclassified from seismic zone 2 to 3 and hence IIT of Madras recommended to go for the pile foundation instead of isolated footing. The above process has forced these opposite parties being spent for considerable time and hence there occurs a delay.
9. At the time of allotment, the opposite parties uniformly collected 30%
as 1st installment on the allotment depends upon the category of flat in the year 2006. 2nd installment was collected during June 2007 on commencements of construction activities and subsequent installments have been collected from the allottees at interval of one year of 4/6 months interval as mentioned in rules books and brochure while launching the project. It is pertinent to note that based on the construction work only these opposite parties had been collecting the amount from the allottees by passing the benefit in remittance of installments due to delay in construction activities.
10. The community hall facility will no way disturb the possession of the
complainant as the community hall belongs to all the allottees and the above complaint has no way attracted the deficiency of service by the opposite parties from the utility point of view. Children plays ground with Open Park are available for the usage of the complainant and therefore all the complaints made by the opposite party is flimsy, intentional, exploitation in nature and with an intention to get compensation from the opposite parties. The undivided share of land provided is more than three times when comparing to private builders used to offer to their customers. As per the original allotment the allotted area to the complainant was 1250 sq.ft., and subsequently as per the revision plan it has been enhanced to 1353 sq.ft. The increased area is not the escalation and it is forming part of the area increased and accordingly the total cost has been increased from Rs.13,05,000/- to Rs. 14,13,000/- which in terms of 8.24% increased in area.
11. According to the broacher the cost of flat has been increased to 4.13 lakhs at the time of completion of the flats due to delay in execution for according statutory approval from CMDA, Municipality, pile foundation labour and material escalation as per whole sale price index etc., Accordingly the complainant has to pay the total price of 18.26 lakhs to his flat for taking an area of 1353 sq.ft. instead of 1250 sq.ft. which comes o Rs.1350/- per sq.ft. including the cost of the erection of pile in the above said project. During the same period from the date of commencement to date of completion cost per flat has been charged to Rs.3,000/- per sq.ft. by the private builders and even the construction cost itself comes to Rs.1,500/- per sq.ft. 12. Though the opposite party have issued a call letter on 16.01.2012 to call for the final payment after the completion of the final work by these opposite parties but the complainant has only on 10.07.2012 on some pretext pending disposal of the minor works. These opposite parties have not been responsible for delay in taking the flat due to the above said reasons. Even after the final payment made by the complainant only in May 2012 and he took the possession only on 10.07.2012 after lapse of 6 months from the opposite parties final call up with an intention to grab money by way of compensation through this Forum.
13. Regarding maintenance the opposite parties had not collected any maintenance charges and the call letter issued by the opposite parties is a general nature and not invoked to claim any amount from the complainant. Even after taking the possession over the property, the complainant has not been occupied the house and he has leased out the property to the third party for commercial purpose and which is against the rules and regulations of these opposite parties. There was no deficiency on the part of opposite parties and for every delay has been clearly explained to the allottees including complainant.
14. The community hall facility will no way disturb the possession of the complainant as the community hall belongs to all the allottees and the above complaint has no way attracted the deficiency of service by the opposite parties from the utility point of view. Children play ground with Open Park is available for the usage of the complainant and therefore all the complainants made by the opposite party is flimsy, intentional, exploitation in nature and with an intention to get compensation from the opposite parties. It is the scope of the complainant to transfer the name of the complainant in Property Tax and EB in necessary application form if necessary that will be signed and sealed by these opposite parties. Hence there is no merit in the complaint and is liable to be dismissed.
15. In order to prove the case of the complaint, the complainant filed his
proof affidavit as his evidence and Exhibit A1 to A16 are marked on the side of the complainant. Similarly, on the side of the opposite party proof affidavit is filed and Exhibit B1 to B4 are marked on his side.
16. At this juncture, the point for the consideration before this Forum is:
- Whether there is any deficiency of service on the part of the opposite parties as alleged in the complaint?
- To what other reliefs, the complainant entitled to?
17. Written Argument submitted by both sides and copy of the same has been
Furnished to either side. In addition to that, oral Arguments also adduced on both sides.
18. Point 1: Regarding this point, the duty cast upon the complainant
to prove the deficiency in service on the part of the opposite parties which is settled the law. In such circumstances, this Forum has to consider, as to whether the complainant has proved his case by means of relevant and acceptable evidence. At the outset, on careful perusal of proof affidavit filed on the side of the complainant, it is stated that the complainant was allotted the dwelling unit in type No.C, for the quoted price of Rs. 13,05,000/-, which was mentioned in the Exhibit A1, brochure, the allotment letter dated 08.11.2006 is marked as Exhibit A2, the communication letter dated 29.10.2007 was issued by the opposite party to the complainant is marked as Exhibit A3, in which it is stated that the cost of the project was increased by 8.2% due to the increase in raw materials, etc., It is further seen from the proof affidavit that the opposite party has sent another communication dated 02.04.2008 which is marked as Exhibit A4, then the another communication dated 21.05.2009 sent by the opposite party and informed that the revised quote with regard to such increase in the cost of dwelling unit was increased Rs.18,26,550, is marked as Exhibit A5. Thereafter, the call up notice dated 24.08.2009 received by the complainant from the opposite party is marked as Exhibit A6, the letter dated 07.06.2010 sent by the complainant to the 1st opposite party is marked as Exhibit A7, then the reply letter dated 17.06.2010 of the 1st opposite party is marked as Exhibit A8.
19.It is further seen from the proof affidavit that the opposite party has sent
another communication dated 01.02.2011 which is marked as Exhibit A9 with assurance that the project could be completed for the month of Dec.2010, another letter dated 29.07.2011 received by the complainant from the opposite party by stating that the project could not be completed only in the month of Aug 2011 is marked as Exhibit A10.Then the copy of the sale deed Exhibit A11, was executed by the opposite party in favour of the complainant on 05.11.2011. Furthermore it is noted, that, on receiving the communication from the opposite party dated 16.01.2012, the complainant could not take possession since the construction of the flat was incompleted which is marked as Exhibit A12, the handing/taking over certificate marked as Exhibit A13, the legal notice dated 14.11.2013 is marked as Exhibit A14, the rental agreement between one Mr.N.Balamurugan and the complainant is marked as Exhibit A15 and The photocopies among the defects found in the dwelling flat which was allotted to the complainant is Exhibit A26.
20. On the other hand, it is contended by the opposite parties in their evidence that the communication letter dated 29.10.2007 was issued by the opposite party to the complainant is marked as Exhibit B1, the letter dated 06.08.2009, the revised costing of Chennai which is marked as Exhibit B2. Furthermore it is stated that the opposite parties in their evidence that the opposite parties issued final call letter dated 16.01.2012 which was marked as Exhibit B3, Exhibit B4, is the agreement executed by the complainant, in fact, that on 11.05.2012.
21. At this juncture, on careful perusal of the rival submissions put forth on either side, it is crystal clear that the allotment of dwelling flats to the complainant and in connection with other facts except the delay in handing over and certain defects noted by the complainant, in the construction admitted facts and all others are not dispute at all.
22. First of all, regarding the allegation of escalation and the increase in cost, the opposite party has clearly averred in their written version as well as in the proof affidavit that as per the rule 7 clause 1 to 6, the Central Government Employees Welfare Housing Organization, which is marked as Exhibit A1 herein, relates to the payment schedule, escalation cost, interest, co-operative society charges, stamp duty, reserve fund, statutory levies etc. At the outset, on careful perusal of the above said rule through naked eye in Exhibit A1, it is crystal clear that in respect of escalation cost has been mentioned. Furthermore, as per Exhibit B4 Acceptance and Undertaking given by the complainant, it has been clearly accepted, agreed, shall abide by all the rules and regulations, the terms and conditions that are set forth in the CGEWHO rules brochure as amended from time to time and the terms and conditions given in the CGEWHO allotment letter on the subject. So, it goes without saying that the complainant shall bind upon the CGEWHO rules-brochure.
23. Furthermore, it is pertinent to note that initially as per the allotment,
the allotted area to the complainant was 950 sq.ft and subsequently as per the revision plan enhanced to 1353 sq.ft. and the said increased area is not an escalation and it is forming part of the area increased and accordingly the total cost has been increased from Rs.13,05,000/- to Rs. 14,13,000/- which in terms of 8.24% increased in cost. In such circumstances, the said fact has not been subsequently disputed in the proof affidavit of the complainant. Apart from that, as per the Exhibit A11, the UDS of land sold by the complainant is 982.495 sq.ft. on par with the enhanced allotted area. Therefore, the allegation made by the complainant in respect of the escalation cost has lost its merits and the same has not been clearly enlightened before this Forum by the complainant. It is further noticed that the said fact of increase in the area allotment has convenient suppressed by the complainant in the complaint.
24. At the outset, the opposite party would contend that they originally intended to go for the open foundation in the said project for the construction of flats to the allottees and subsequently after the inspection made by the IIT of Madras Engineers, the proposal of the open foundation has been changed and therefore the opposite parties had gone for the pile foundation and during the time more than 2800 piles have been erected, in the above said place before the commencement of the basement for various apartments. It is further narrated that the delay occurred in respect of obtaining approval for the statutory bodies i.e. CDMA Municipality, soil testing, foundation, details from IIT Madras, non availabilities of materials and severe monsoon had caused a considerable delay from the commencement date to completion of the project. Furthermore, it is clearly stated that the delay occurred in collecting the installments from the allottees for passing the benefit in remittance of installments, the lorry owner strike and heavy rain subsequent flooded at site and caused delay in the completion of construction of the flats. From the foregoing facts, the causing of delay in the completion of construction of the flats has been clearly explained and the same has to be acceptable one. Moreover, there is nothing on record to show that the delay was deliberate and intentionally. It is further to enlighten that no doubt the cost is very competitive and cheaper than the private builders and the same has to be kept in mind. Similarly, it is pertinent to note that the opposite parties is one of the unit of Central Government Employees Welfare Housing Organization an autonomous body under Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India, which is not acted for any profit motive or for wrongful gain. It is fairly seen, that the opposite parties are having good intention to provide the residential flats to the Central Government Employees with cheaper cost and they have acted only for the welfare of the above said employees. More so, in fact even after the opposite parties have issued a call letter on 16.01.2012, to call for the final payment and paid by the complainant after a delay of nearly 8 months has to be looked into it. Therefore, from the foregoing facts and circumstances of this case, the plea taken by the complainant in respect of inordinate delay caused in handing over the flats to him has not been proved and thereby the such plea is hereby rejected.
25. Then, In respect of failure to provide the community hall and children
play area, it has been clearly explained by the opposite parties that such facilities will no way disturb the possession of the complainant as the community hall belongs to all the allottees. Similarly the play ground with Open Park is available for the usage of the complainant and therefore this complaint has no way attracted the deficiency of service and also it is flimsy, intentional, exploitation in nature. In such situation, the complainant has not come forward to prove the same by means of relevant and consistent evidence and thereby failed in his duty.
26. In the light of the above facts and circumstances and observation made above, this Forum has concluded that the deficiency of service on the part of the opposite parties has not been established by the complainant. Regarding other allegations also the complainant failed to prove the same. Thus the point no.1 is answered accordingly.
27. Point 2: As per the conclusion arrived in point no.1, the complainant is not entitled for any relief as prayed for in the complaint. Thus the point no.2 is answered accordingly.
In the result, this complaint is dismissed. No cost.
Dictated by the president to the steno-typist, transcribed and computerized by her, correctly by the President and pronounced by us in the open Forum on this 6th November 2015.
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MEMBER I PRESIDENT
List of Documents filed by the complainant
Ex.A1/Dt. : Xerox copy of the CGEWHO Rules Brochure.
Ex.A2/Dt.08.11.2006: Xerox copy of the allotment letter cum call up notice given sent by
the 1st opposite party to the complainant.
Ex.A3/Dt.29.10.2007: Xerox copy of the communication of the 1st opposite party.
Ex.A4/Dt.02.04.2008: Xerox copy of the communication of the 1st opposite party.
Ex.A5/Dt.21.05.2009: Xerox copy of the communication of the 1st opposite party.
Ex.A6/Dt.24.08.2009: Xerox copy of the call up notice sent by the 1st opposite party.
Ex.A7/Dt.07.06.2010: Xerox copy of the letter sent by the complainant to the 1st
opposite party.
Ex.A8/Dt.17.6.2010: Xerox copy of the reply letter sent by the by the 1st opposite party.
Ex.A9/Dt.01.02.2011: Xerox copy of the communication of the 1st opposite party.
Ex.A10/Dt.29.07.2011: Xerox copy of the communication of the 1st opposite party.
Ex.A11/Dt.04.10.2012: Xerox copy of the sale deed executed by the opposite party in
favour of the complainant.
Ex.A12/Dt.16.01.2012 : Xerox copy of the communication of the 1st opposite party.
Ex.A13/Dt.05.06.2012: Xerox copy of the Handing/Taking over certificate.
Ex.A14/Dt.19.12.2013 : Xerox copy of legal notice sent by the complainant to the
opposite party.
Ex.A15/Dt.12.01.2011: Xerox copy of the rental agreement executed by the
complainant.
Ex.A16/Dt. : Xerox copy of the photographs of the said defective dwelling flat.
List of documents of the opposite parties:
Ex.B1/Dt.29.10.2007: Xerox copy of the letter sent by the 1st opposite party to the
complainant.
Ex.B2/Dt.06.08.2009: Xerox copy of the revised costing details.
Ex.B3/Dt.16.01.2012: Xerox copy of the final call up letter sent by the opposite party to
the complainant.
Ex.B4/Dt.11.05.2012: Xerox copy of the agreement executed by the complainant.
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MEMBER I PRESIDENT
