B L BHOJAK Vs. RAJ HOUSING BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Appeal Nos.1115/1998 by the complainant and 1333/1998 by the opposite parties arise out of the order dated 21.5.1998 whereby the Forum Jaipur-I, Jaipur allowed complainant's Complaint No.242/1997 directing the refund of the amount deposited by him with the Raj. Housing Board, with interest @ 18% p. a. payable from 1.6.1994 and cost at Rs.1,000/-. Both these appeals were heard together and are disposed of by this common order.

(2.) The complainant had got himself registered with the appellant Housing Board for allotment of a house to him under their General Registration Scheme. He had paid the registration amount of Rs.7,000/- on 1.2.1980 and thereafter paid further amount of Rs.3,000/- on 1.7.1982. He was issued a registration letter on 16.6.1983. Thereafter the appellant Housing Board appears to have offered to him to opt for another Yojna of the Housing Board, floated under the name of Kuber Yojna. The complainant opted for such Yojna also and further deposited a sum of Rs.3,000/- on 28.12.1987. As required under the said scheme the complainant continued to pay the monthly instalment of Rs.700/- during the period from May, 1989 to December, 1993. But allotment of a house to him during this long period was not visible. It was under such circumstances that he claimed allotment of a house to him as per conditions contained in the Yojna or in the alternative refund of his amount with interest @ 24% p. a. The Forum, however, decided the complaint as per order noted above.

(3.) The grievance of the complainant is that interest to him should have been made payable from the dates of deposit of the amounts by him with the Housing Board from time-to-time. The prayer is most genuine and reasonable. The same is accepted. The grievance of the Housing Board is that the rate of interest awarded as 18% p. a. is on higher side and should be scaled down. This prayer is also reasonable and the interest is reduced from 18% to 12% p. a. payabe from the dates of the deposit of the various amounts by the complainant during the long period. The payment alongwith interest due shall be made by the appellant Housing Board within a period of three months from today failing which their appeal shall stand dismissed. Both the appeals are disposed of in the manner, stated above with cost at Rs.2,000/- payable by the Housing Board to the complainant.