Cash-strapped JDA mulls half-baked housing scheme

JAIPUR: To score brownie points by displaying exemplary work in front of the top bureaucrat and urban development and housing (UDH) minister, the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) officials are planning to launch a housing scheme without proper planning.
The attempt can dash the hopes of many economically weaker section (EWS) investors, who would file an application to purchase a house in these schemes.From Monday, the JDA will start accepting applications for 1,448 flats, which will be developed in three separate schemes — Anand Vihar (zone-12), Surya Nagar (zone-14) and Kheda Jaganath Pura (zone-14).
Sources said, these houses will be developed under provision 4 A (I) of the Chief Minister Jan Awaas Yojana, 2015. The scheme will be developed on public private partnership (PPP) model, where construction will be done by a private developer.
“The applications are invited without finalising the developers. In past, JDA made attempts to lure the developers. However, not many showed interest in the project. Under Awaas Yojana provision , 4 A (I), a pre-meeting bid was held on July 1, 2016, where five developers participated. But, no one turned up,” said a source.
The applicants would deposit Rs 2,000 with the application forms. However, the civic body has clearly mentioned that money would be returned, if it does not receive 75% applications for the schemes.
The applicants might face disappointment. An official, who wished not to be named and is associated with the project said, “This is a new model to lure the developers. The cash-strapped JDA is testing waters. If it receives applications in large numbers, it can always interest the developers. It’s a win-win situation for JDA, even if the scheme did not take off.”
After facing rejections, the development authority compensated the developers through other incentives in EWS previous schemes, such as additional built up area for their other projects.
The JDA administration is hopeful of receiving applications in large numbers. “Once we receive good numbers, it will be easier to negotiate with developers,” said an official.