Bhubaneswar: A fresh controversy has erupted over the delayed handover of flats at the Dhauli Heights housing project in Tamando, with the association of allottees alleging that the Odisha Cooperative Housing Corporation (OCHC) is imposing conditions before allowing some beneficiaries access to their flats for interior and furnishing work.In a representation submitted to OCHC, the executing agency of the premium housing project, the Dhauli Heights Association of Allottees alleged that a notice regarding key handover was displayed at the corporation’s office on Oct 27 without individual communication to all allottees. The association claimed that only a handful of allottees were contacted on the phone and asked to visit the OCHC office with stamp papers for execution of agreements. “The OCHC is trying to manipulate the system. They have already delayed in giving us the possession and now they are coming up with conditions,” an allottee said.
The association alleged that different agreements were being prepared for allottees depending on whether they had filed cases before Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) or had execution proceedings pending. It further claimed that some allottees were being asked to furnish undertakings related to ongoing legal disputes.“We have waited nearly 14 years for our homes. Since OCHC itself is not handing over possession at this stage, there is no justification for asking allottees to sign agreements or undertakings affecting their legal rights merely to access their flats for interior and furnishing work,” N Shiva Kumar, an office-bearer of the association, said.The association has urged OCHC to hand over keys for interior work unconditionally and uniformly to all allottees, alleging that the present process could create divisions among beneficiaries. “The OCHC is trying to play a ‘divide and rule’ game which is unjustified. There should be universal agreement,” the allottees say.Responding to the allegations, OCHC officials maintained that no formal hand over of flats is being done at the moment. “The keys are being given only to facilitate interior and furnishing work. Necessary documentation is being undertaken as part of the process. The corporation is acting in accordance with the law,” a senior OCHC official said.