The three-member panel appointed by the Supreme Court to fix and distribute compensation for the 326 families in Maradu, conducted their first meeting in Kochi on Thursday. The panel, headed by Justice K Balakrishnan Nair, stated after the meeting that all those residents with proper documents of sale deeds are eligible for the preliminary compensation of Rs 25 lakh.
The residents can start filing petitions to claim their due compensation for leaving the apartments from Friday.
About 326 families from four apartment complexes – Golden Kayaloram, H2O Holy Faith, Jains Coral Cove and the twin towers of Alfa Serene – have been asked to vacate based on the Supreme Court order of May 2019 to demolish the buildings that were found to be constructed in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
There were apprehensions among a section of residents, who have not yet changed ownership from the name of the builders to theirs in municipal records, whether they will be eligible for compensation or not. But now, the panel overseeing the distribution of compensation has stated that those with sale deeds in proper order are eligible to get Rs 25 lakh.
A sale deed is a legal document citing the transfer of ownership of the property from seller to buyer.
The panel’s initial work is focused on giving preliminary compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the residents as directed by the Supreme Court.
In addition to Justice K Balakrishnan Nair - chairman of the panel - retired Chief Secretary Jose Cyriac K and retired chief engineer of Public Works Department R Murukesan, are the others in the panel.
“The flat owners can file claim petitions supported by an affidavit stating the amount they have actually paid to the builder with supporting documents,” stated the official release by the panel.
The panel also elaborated on the type of documents that residents should submit in order to get the compensation. This includes the original title deed or its certified copies obtained from sub registrar office. Along with this, residents are also required to submit two photocopies of sale deed attested by secretary/municipal engineer/supervisor of the municipality.
The petitions submitted within one week will be considered in the committee meeting to be held on Monday, October 14, while the petitions received after Monday, will be considered in the meeting scheduled to be held on October 17.
The panel also stated that residents who produce documents showing the ownership (sale deed) are eligible to get compensation as directed by SC, even if they have not changed the apartment ownership to their names in municipality’s record. “But this will be subject to verification of original sale deed,” the statement said. Residents who have failed to produce the documents of sale deed in spite of ownership change in municipality records, will have to submit the originals of sale deed or certified copies of it to the municipal secretary within three days.
The secretary of the municipality has also been directed by the panel to compute the actual amount paid by the flat owners to the builders, within three days.