NATIONAL CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION, NEW DELHI
R.K. Agrawal, President
M/s. Adobe Marketing
Private Limited – Complainant
versus
Haryana State Industrial &
Infrastructure Development
Corporation and Ors. – Opp. Parties
Consumer Case No.17 of 2021
Decided on 24.4.2023
Consumer Protection Act, 1986 – S. 2. (1)(g) “deficiency” - 12(1)(a)[Consumer Protection Act, 2019 – S.35(1)(a)] – Services – Real Estate – Allotment of Flat / Plot – Delayed Possession – Refund of Amount – Direction for alternative plot – Failure to allot basic amenities - It is not in dispute that the Complainant accepted the offer of possession of the Plots on 22.09.2009 which was only a possession on paper. It is the case of the Complainant that although there was no development in the vicinity and the approach roads were not existing on both the sides of the plots as per the site plan, yet the Complainant had to take possession of the Plots on 22.09.2009 under the threat of forfeiture of earnest money. The Complainant had deposited 70% of the total cost of plots, i.e., Rs.1,73,65,500/- on different dates up till 22.11.2011. It is settled law that without providing basic amenities like approach roads etc. the possession is only a paper-possession and not the physical possession - In the present case, the Opposite Party Authority had completely failed to provide basic amenities like approach roads on the sides of the allotted Plots, which is a clear case of deficiency in service on the part of the Opposite Parties – Therefore, Opposite Parties are directed to allot the alternative Plot- Complainant cannot set up industry at the Plots unless the land is fully developed by the Opposite Party and all the basic amenities are provided. Hence, the present Complaint is partly allowed. [Paras 10 to 22]
Result: Complaint allowed.
ORDER
The present Consumer Complaint has been filed under Section 21 read with Section 12(1)(a) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (for short “the Act”) by M/s. Adobe Marketing Private Limited (hereinafter referred to as the Complainant) against Opposite Parties, Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation and Ors. (hereinafter referred to as the Opposite Party Corporation), seeking either allotment of the alternative plot/plots or refund of the amount paid towards purchase of Plot(s)alongwith interest as the Opposite Party Corporation failed to develop the area where the Plots were allotted to the Complainant.
2. Briefly stated the facts of the case are that the Complainant in order to establish an industry for self-employment and earning livelihood, applied for a fully developed industrial plot of 6000 sq. mtr. but on the assurance of the Opposite Party No. 3, Haryana Sahakari Vikas Pradhikaran (hereinafter referred to as the Opposite Party Authority), the Complainant agreed to take possession of six different plots instead of one. Accordingly, vide allotment letter dated 02.03.2009, the Complainant was allotted six Industrial Plot Nos. 32, 33 & 34 and 37, 38 & 39 admeasuring 1000 sq. mtr. in the Industrial Area located at Sector 59, Phase-1, Faridabad, Haryana (hereinafter referred to as the Industrial Area) to be developed by the Opposite Party Authority. It was averred that initially the Plots, in question, were allotted by the Opposite Party Authority, but subsequently the function of development and allotment of industrial plots was handed over by the Opposite Party Authority to Opposite Party No. 1 & 2, i.e., Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the Opposite Party Corporation). The Complainant deposited 70% of the total cost of plots, i.e., Rs.1,73,65,500/- on different dates uptill 22.11.2011. Although there was no development in the vicinity and the roads were not existing on both the sides of the plots as per the site plan, yet the Complainant had to take possession of the Plots on 22.09.2009 under the threat of forfeiture of earnest money. It is averred that the possession was a paper possession since there was neither any development in the vicinity nor access road was available on the site. Despite several visits to the office of the Opposite Party Corporation there was no response for carrying out the development work in the vicinity. The Complainant being not satisfied with the development work sought refund from the Opposite Party Corporation vide letter dated 31.12.2018. But having come to know about the policy of the Opposite Party Corporation for alternative allotment of plots, before processing the refund, the Complainant withdrew its request of refund vide letter dated 14.02.2019 and requested the Opposite Party Corporation to allot alternative plot(s) in developed area but no action was taken by the Opposite Party Corporation. It was averred that they were ready to make balance payment but the Opposite Party Corporation neither refunded the money nor allotted alternative plots or provided any information regarding the development of the area including construction of approach roads in the vicinity. Alleging deficiency in service and Unfair Trade Practice on the part of the Opposite Party Corporation, the Complainant has filed the present Consumer Complaint with the following prayer:—
(a) Pass an order directing allotment of an alternative plot or plots of the same size or size as originally allotted in a fully developed sector to complainant in lieu of originally allotted six plots of a total area, of 6000 square meters preferably vacant unallotted plots No.10, 11 & 12 Sector 59A, Faridabad Haryana of approximately similar size; and;
(b) In the alternative to pass an order directing payment/refund of the amount of Rs.128207079.79 to the Complainant being the entire amount deposited till date along with interest compou
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