Success Story: Using RTI and Consumer Protection Act for getting a DDA flat
25 Jan, 2013An instance of use of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in conjunction with the Consumer Protection Act has come to notice which demonstrates how a citizen can use them for getting what he legally deserves.
A railways employee, DC Sharma, had booked a flat with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). In 2006, he sought information about the status of his flat when the DDA did not entertained his demand to mortgage the flat to the Indian Railways. He was informed that through a draw that took place on March 28, 1996, the said flat was allotted in the name of one Santosh Minhas. Claiming that he was allotted the flat after a draw that took place in 1997 following which he had deposited Rs 30,000 as registration and confirmation fee, he alleged that the flat allotted to him had also been allotted to someone else. He added that the DDA was even informed about the change in address for further correspondence regarding the allotted flat.
The DDA claimed that the complainant had not deposited the demanded amount within the stipulated period up to June 18, 2000. As a result, the allotment of flat automatically stood cancelled. The district forum had upheld the argument of the DDA while a bench of the Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held that the demand by the DDA for confirmation amount was false and fictitious because the demand related to a flat which was non-existent.
The State Commission has directed the DDA to provide another flat of the same description, same condition and in the same locality or pay Rs 30.3 lakh to Sharma. Though the booking value of the flat was Rs 5,03,348, the additional amount of Rs. 24,96,652 was added because of sky rocketing prices.