Question : ARMY WELFARE HOUSING ORGANISATION

(a) whether the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) had purchased land in Shatabdi Nagar, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh in the year, 1989 from the Meerut Development Authority for construction of houses for serving/retired army personnel and their widows;

(b) if so, the amount paid by the Army Welfare Housing Organisation to Meerut Development Authority for the same;

(c) whether the construction work of houses has commenced on the land;

(d) if not, the reasons for delay;

(e) whether any responsibility has been fixed for such delay in construction of houses; and

(f) the time by which the construction of houses on the said land is likely to begin?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (SHRI A.K. ANTONY)

(a) Army Welfare Housing Organisation was allotted 30 acres of land by Meerut DevelopmentAuthority at Shatabdi Nagar, Meerut in October, 1989.

(b) Army Welfare Housing Organisation paid an amount of Rs.3,82,41,541/- to Meerut DevelopmentAuthority.

(c) The construction on the land has not yet commenced as the possession of the land has notbeen handed over by Meerut Development Authority.

(d) External services like road, electric line, water supply and sewage lines have not beendeveloped. Further the entire plot was under occupation of local farmers and was beingcultivated by them as Meerut Development Authority had apparently not paid compensation to theland owners.Even now the plot is not fully developed and is not entirely in the possession ofMeerut Development Authority.

(e) Army Welfare Housing Organisation has filed a case against Meerut Development Authority inthe National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, New Delhi.

(f) No time frame for construction of houses can be set at present as the possession of land hasnot been handed over.