On November 2,
Mid Day reported that
two flats in Building 23 in Swati Cooperative
Housing Society, Goregaon (W), were sold for a
paltry Rs 60,000Flat prices at Building 23 in Swati Cooperative Housing Society, Goregaon (W) have hit a new low. Mid Day reported on November 2 that two flats were sold for a paltry Rs 60,000. The sale of another flat, however, makes even that look exorbitant by comparison.
According to a MHADA document obtained by Mid Day, flat number 356, was sold on May 31 for Rs 10,298!
Denial
However, when Mid Day spoke to SA Mohapatra, the owner, he denied this. Thats wrong! Arrey, I have been living here since the 1970s.
S Kunte, vice president and CEO of MHADA, reacted saying, This is surprising. But only the concerned official can guide you. But the concerned official, SG Gautam, joint chief officer of MHADAs Mumbai Board, was clueless too. I cannot say anything now, but I will check with my departments, he said.
New owners
Flat numbers 353 and 354, named in Mid Days November 2 report, were allotted to Deepak Sawant and Prakash Chauhan on January 13 and January 24 respectively, but they now have new owners.
While 353 has been allotted to the postal department, 354 is marked as a rented flat. Mysteriously, the date of allotment is missing from the document. Deepak Sawant refused to comment on the matter.
No tenders
Asked why flats were sold at Rs 60,000, a MHADA letter dated September 30, said those flats didnt have any takers as they were over 35 years old and were thus sold dirt-cheap.
But another letter, dated November 16, revealed that the flat had remained unoccupied because tenders for their sale were never issued.
A senior MHADA official, who did not wish to be named, said, Any flat, whether sold via tender or under the government reservation, has to be sold at the prevailing rates.
Lax attitude
So, over a month later, MHADA has still not explained why the flats were sold dirt-cheap and the lucky buyers continue to enjoy their stay there.
When asked, Kunte, casually remarked, Aa jaayega inquiry report, kahan jaayega? When asked if there was a deadline to complete the probe, he said, I can not give you any time frame.
I cant help it
S G Gautam, who is also the public information officer for the Mumbai Board, also failed to provide any answers to our questions. If you want all these answers, please apply under the (Right to Information) Act. We will see then, he said.
When informed that Mid Day had already done so twice he said, Please apply again. There are hundreds of departments working under me. I cannot help it if the information is not correct.
He concluded with the assurance that the issue would be resolved by Monday.
