<p>The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has been directed by a consumer court to repay a flat owner a total of Rs 2.1 lakh after she contested the BDAs decision to demand “unfair” car parking charges. </p>.<p>Apoorva S, a resident of Sharadamba Nagar, Jalahalli, was allotted a row house/villa in the city at the cost of Rs 42 lakh on August 24, 2017, but was forced by the BDA to pay an additional Rs 2 lakh for car parking and Rs 5.04 lakh for GST, which she called illogical. </p>.<p>Contesting that neither the BDA's advertisement nor the allotment letter mentioned these additional charges, she filed a petition with the Bengaluru Urban 3rd Additional District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on November 18, 2021. </p>.<p>The BDA representative rejected all the allegations. Regarding the GST charges, he presented a writ petition pending in the High Court since 2019. He also presented the notification on car parking, which mentioned that a separate allotment letter would be issued for it, eliminating the possibility of a refund. </p>.<p>After examining the affidavit evidence and documents submitted by both parties, the commission found that the complainant was not obligated to pay an additional amount of Rs 2 lakh as the allotment letter issued by the BDA on August 24, 2017, did not mention any car parking charges. The charges were mentioned in a separate notification issued on November 3, 2017, which the commission found was “unfair”. </p>.<p>It maintained that the decision to repay the GST amount will be contingent upon the outcome of the writ petition pending before the court. </p>.<p>The commission noted that complete information about car parking was not provided by the BDA prior to or at the time of allotment, which amounts to a deficiency of service and unfair trade practice. </p>.<p>On July 17, the commission directed the BDA to refund the car parking charges of Rs 2 lakh and pay an additional Rs 10,000 to compensate for litigation costs and other expenses. The BDA is instructed to comply with the order within two months. </p>.<p>A senior BDA official told <span><em>DH</em></span> that they were not aware of the particulars of this case but would study it.</p>.<p>"We charge a fee if we provide a covered parking facility but don’t charge anything for an open parking facility. We will study this case and appeal it in the high court if needed,” said the official. </p>
<p>The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has been directed by a consumer court to repay a flat owner a total of Rs 2.1 lakh after she contested the BDAs decision to demand “unfair” car parking charges. </p>.<p>Apoorva S, a resident of Sharadamba Nagar, Jalahalli, was allotted a row house/villa in the city at the cost of Rs 42 lakh on August 24, 2017, but was forced by the BDA to pay an additional Rs 2 lakh for car parking and Rs 5.04 lakh for GST, which she called illogical. </p>.<p>Contesting that neither the BDA's advertisement nor the allotment letter mentioned these additional charges, she filed a petition with the Bengaluru Urban 3rd Additional District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on November 18, 2021. </p>.<p>The BDA representative rejected all the allegations. Regarding the GST charges, he presented a writ petition pending in the High Court since 2019. He also presented the notification on car parking, which mentioned that a separate allotment letter would be issued for it, eliminating the possibility of a refund. </p>.<p>After examining the affidavit evidence and documents submitted by both parties, the commission found that the complainant was not obligated to pay an additional amount of Rs 2 lakh as the allotment letter issued by the BDA on August 24, 2017, did not mention any car parking charges. The charges were mentioned in a separate notification issued on November 3, 2017, which the commission found was “unfair”. </p>.<p>It maintained that the decision to repay the GST amount will be contingent upon the outcome of the writ petition pending before the court. </p>.<p>The commission noted that complete information about car parking was not provided by the BDA prior to or at the time of allotment, which amounts to a deficiency of service and unfair trade practice. </p>.<p>On July 17, the commission directed the BDA to refund the car parking charges of Rs 2 lakh and pay an additional Rs 10,000 to compensate for litigation costs and other expenses. The BDA is instructed to comply with the order within two months. </p>.<p>A senior BDA official told <span><em>DH</em></span> that they were not aware of the particulars of this case but would study it.</p>.<p>"We charge a fee if we provide a covered parking facility but don’t charge anything for an open parking facility. We will study this case and appeal it in the high court if needed,” said the official. </p>
