Gurugram: In a landmark enforcement action aimed at protecting homebuyers, the Gurugram district administration has ordered the freezing of bank accounts of 71 builders and promoters who have failed to comply with recovery orders issued by the Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HRERA), Gurugram.
The pending recovery amount stands at nearly Rs 446 crore, making it one of the biggest recovery drives ever undertaken against defaulting real estate developers in the district.
The action follows the non-payment of penalties and refund amounts awarded to homebuyers by HRERA. Several of the recovery certificates have remained pending for more than four years despite repeated directions from the authority.
Acting under Section 40(1) of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, the district administration has initiated coercive recovery proceedings, treating the unpaid amounts as arrears of land revenue. Along with freezing bank accounts, authorities have also begun proceedings to attach the movable and immovable properties of the defaulting builders under the Punjab Land Revenue Act as applicable in Haryana.
Officials said that if the outstanding dues are not recovered through bank accounts or attached assets, the administration may resort to stronger legal measures, including arrest and detention of defaulters under the provisions of the land revenue law. Notices have already been served directing the builders to clear their dues immediately.
Among the major defaulters are Ansal Housing/Ansal Construction Housing with dues of approximately Rs 91 crore, Raheja Group at Rs 90 crore, Vatika at Rs 80 crore, Parsvnath at Rs 74 crore, Ramprastha at Rs 57 crore, IREO at Rs 24 crore, and ILD Millennium at Rs 8.59 crore.
Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh said that While HRERA passes orders in favour of homebuyers, the process remains ineffective unless the awarded amounts actually reach the beneficiaries. The administration is committed to ensuring recovery through all available legal mechanisms.”
The Deputy Commissioner further stated that recovery of HRERA dues had stagnated in recent years, prompting a comprehensive review of all pending recovery certificates. Weekly monitoring has now been initiated, and SDMs and Tehsildars have been directed to expedite the recovery process in a time-bound manner.