Tarun Agarwala, J. - (1.) In this group of petitions, the petitioners have challenged the demand notices for non-payment of the instalment along with interest. For facility, the facts of Writ Petition Nos. 45579 of 2010 and 14756 of 2016 are being taken into consideration.
(2.) The petitioners contend that they belong to the economically weaker section (E.W.S.) of the society. For settlement of the E.W.S. of the society, the Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad launched a scheme known as Bhumi Vikas Evam Grihastha Yojna No. 7 in early eighties for allotment of small residential houses to the E.W.S. of the society. The allotments were made over a period of time from 1982 to 1998 and, in this fashion, approximately 2700 persons were given residential accommodation.
(3.) Under the scheme, the petitioners applied for allotment of E.W.S. residential houses. The respondents processed the papers and accepted the application of the petitioners and an allotment order was issued. A hire purchase agreement was entered into and possession of the house was given between the period 1982 to 1998. In the allotment letter as well as in the agreement, it was stipulated that the petitioners would be required to pay the instalment over a period of 20 years in 240 instalments. It was specifically stipulated that in case of late payment, penal interest would be charged @ 18% per annum.;