GURGAON: The Haryana Urban Development Authority has ordered the demolition of 25 illegal shops in the City Cooperative Group Housing Society.

Located in Sector 55, the housing society has been in the news ever since residents complained to the vigilance department of Steel Authority of India Limited regarding irregularities by the management committee.

The group housing society was constructed for SAIL employees and its subsidiaries in Gurgaon.

The residents have been opposing illegal shops in the parking space in the basement.

The shops, including a boutique and beauty parlours, had become a menace for the residents as they not only strained the resources of the housing society but also compromised its security.

In the notice to the society, the HUDA estate officer said the construction of illegal shops violated the provision of Article 3 of HUDA (erection of buildings) Regulation 1979.

The notice also directed the management committee to reply within a week on why action should not be taken against it, failing which HUDA would demolish illegal construction or impose penalties according to the law.

Shobhit Garg, a resident of the society, said he was happy with the development as a buyer. “It was completely illegal, the shops were running in the parking area,” he said.

In the case of group housing societies, no commercial activities are allowed within the premises, said another resident, Vikash Bhalotia, who along with other residents raised the issue of illegal shops.

He alleged that laws were being flouted by shopowners for commercial gain while straining the limited common resources of the group housing society.

“We have been fighting the irregularities of the management committee, which is comprised of serving and retired SAIL officials for nine years but no action has been taken against them so far,” he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/25-illegal-shops-in-housing-society-to-be-demolished/articleshow/28363637.cms