Advertisement for allotment of sites meant for Religious Purpose (Mandir) in Sector 77, SAS Nagar .

Overview of the Notice

The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) invited applications for allotment of a religious site for a: Mandir in Sector 77, S.A.S. Nagar The site was offered on a: Freehold basis and measured: 1,000 sq. yds. The scheme opened on: 15 August 2024 and closed on: 13 September 2024 Since the application deadline has passed, this should now be treated as a: Closed / Historical Scheme

Site Price

GMADA fixed the rate at: ₹11,088 per sq. yd. For a 1,000 sq. yd. site, the basic site cost was: ₹1,10,88,000 In addition, the brochure required a: 2% Cancer & Drug Addiction Treatment Infrastructure Cess amounting to: ₹2,21,760 Therefore, the stated combined amount was: ₹1,13,09,760

Important: “Freehold” Does Not Mean Free of Cost

The expression freehold basis describes the nature of the eventual property rights. It does not mean that the religious site was being allotted free of charge. The successful applicant was still required to pay the prescribed site price, cess and other applicable dues. Moreover, the brochure states that ownership of the land and any building constructed on it would continue to vest in GMADA until:

• the full site price was paid; and
• the conveyance deed was executed.

Who Could Apply?

According to the detailed brochure, eligible applicants included:

• a Society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860;
• a Trust registered under the Trusts Act, 1882; or
• an institution constituted or established under a law in force.

The brochure specifically states that allotment would not be made to caste- or baradari-based organisations.

Was This Open to Individual Applicants?

No. This was not a residential or commercial plot scheme for individual applicants. The site was meant for eligible: Societies, Trusts or qualifying institutions for a religious purpose.

Application Money

Every application had to be accompanied by: ₹50,000 through bank draft in favour of: Chief Administrator, GMADA payable at S.A.S. Nagar.

Is the Entire ₹50,000 Refundable?

No. The brochure states that: ₹5,000 would be deducted as processing fee in all cases. For a successful applicant, the remaining: ₹45,000 would be adjusted towards the site cost. For an unsuccessful applicant, ₹45,000 was to be refunded within: 180 days from finalisation of the selection process If retained beyond 180 days, the brochure provided for interest at: 5% per annum for the period beyond 180 days.

How Were Applicants Selected?

This was not described as a first-come-first-served allotment. GMADA stated that selection would broadly consider factors including:

• objectives and activities of the Society or Trust;
• public cause served since establishment;
• financial position;
• existing location;
• likely benefit to the local public;
• genuineness of the organisation;
• annual and audit reports; and
• experience in the relevant field.

This means simply submitting an application did not guarantee allotment.

What Happened After Selection?

After completion of the selection process, successful applicants were to receive a: Letter of Intent (LOI) The successful organisation would then have to:

• complete prescribed formalities;
• submit required documents; and
• make the initial payment.

First Major Payment After LOI

The brochure required: 50% of the total site cost plus the full 2% cess within: 90 days from issue of the Letter of Intent Half of the basic site cost works out to: ₹55,44,000 Adding the cess: ₹2,21,760 gives a stated first-stage financial requirement of: ₹57,65,760 The brochure also says that ₹45,000 out of the original application money would be adjusted towards the site cost. So an eligible organisation needed substantial funds soon after receiving the LOI; the ₹50,000 application amount was only the entry-stage payment.

How Was the Remaining 50% Payable?

The remaining: 50% of the site cost could be paid either:

• in lump sum within 60 days of issuance of the Allotment Letter; or
• in four equal annual instalments with 12% annual interest.

Benefit for Lump-Sum Payment

If the remaining 50% was paid in lump sum within the prescribed period, GMADA offered: 5% rebate on the balance 50% amount This was therefore an incentive for organisations able to clear the remaining site cost early.

What If Instalments Were Delayed?

The brochure prescribed additional penal interest over the normal 12% interest rate. For delay up to one year: 12% + 3% per annum For delay up to two years: 12% + 4% per annum For delay of three years or more: 12% + 5% per annum These charges applied for the delayed period as described in the brochure.

When Would the Allotment Letter Be Issued?

After the selected applicant completed the formalities mentioned in the LOI, GMADA would issue the: Allotment Letter The Allotment Letter would contain the detailed terms and conditions governing the site.

Possession Timeline

The allottee was required to take possession within: 3 months from issue of the Allotment Letter The brochure contains an important condition: if the allottee failed to formally take possession within that period, GMADA would presume that possession had been taken.

Site Offered “As Is Where Is”

The site was to be offered on: “as is where is” basis The allottee could not seek a rebate merely because of the physical condition of the site. GMADA also stated that it would not be responsible for: levelling an uneven site This is an important practical cost that an applicant would need to consider separately.

When Must Building Plans Be Submitted?

After taking possession, the allottee had to submit building plans to GMADA within: 60 days from the date of possession The plans required approval from the competent authority.

When Must Construction Start?

Construction was required to begin within: 30 days from approval of the building plan

How Much Time Was Allowed to Complete Construction?

The building was required to be completed within: 3 years from the date of possession The Estate Officer could extend this period on payment of the prescribed fee if satisfied that the delay occurred due to circumstances beyond the allottee's control.

Completion Certificate Required

After construction was completed, the allottee had to apply for a: Completion Certificate from the competent GMADA authority. Construction alone would therefore not complete the regulatory process.

Can the Site Be Used for Something Else?

No. The site was required to be used only for: the religious purpose for which it was allotted The brochure specifically says: change of land use would not be allowed.

Can the Site Be Divided?

No. GMADA expressly prohibited: fragmentation of the site

Could the Allottee Sell or Transfer the Site?

The brochure places restrictions on transfer rights. Until the applicable ownership and conveyance conditions were satisfied, the allottee had no unrestricted right to transfer the site through:

• sale;
• gift;
• mortgage; or
• other means.

The exact transfer position should always be checked from the final Allotment Letter and prevailing GMADA policy.

Accessibility Requirement

The allottee was required to create a: barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities in the proposed building.

Could the Site Price Increase Later?

Yes. The brochure specifically states that if the land cost increased because a court enhanced land-acquisition compensation, the additional amount could be recovered from the allottee. Such enhanced price was required to be paid within: 60 days of demand This is an important financial condition because the stated scheme price was not necessarily the absolute maximum future liability.

Taxes and Other Charges

The allottee would also be responsible for applicable:

• general taxes;
• local taxes;
• rates;
• cesses; and
• other statutory liabilities.

The brochure also mentions payment of Income Tax liability, if any, when demanded by GMADA.

What Documents Were Required?

The application was required to include documents such as:

• ₹50,000 bank draft;
• audited balance sheets and income-expenditure statements for the previous three years, or since inception for a newer organisation;
• project report;
• proposed site layout signed by a registered architect;
• proposed construction plan;
• rough cost estimate;
• bank financial-position statement;
• Society/Trust registration certificate;
• memorandum of the Society/Trust;
• constitution and list of executive members;
• income-tax clearance/exemption documents, if applicable; and
• documentary proof of relevant experience.

Practical Point: GMADA Was Evaluating More Than Registration

A valid Society or Trust registration alone was not enough. An applicant also needed to demonstrate: financial capacity + genuine public activity + project planning + ability to construct and operate the proposed religious facility. This is particularly important because the scheme required a major payment within 90 days of the LOI and construction within a fixed timeline after possession.

Could GMADA Cancel the Allotment?

Yes. The brochure provides for cancellation/resumption in case of violations of applicable:

• law;
• rules;
• regulations;
• policies; or
• allotment conditions.

It also states that false information or suppression of material facts could result in:

• rejection of the application;
• cancellation of allotment;
• financial consequences; and
• debarment from future GMADA schemes.

Important Practical Questions for an Organisation Reviewing This Scheme

An eligible organisation should have checked: Can we demonstrate genuine religious/public activity? Do we have enough funds for more than ₹57 lakh shortly after LOI? Can we finance the remaining 50%? Can we prepare building plans within 60 days of possession? Can we start construction within 30 days of plan approval? Can we complete the building within three years? Can we absorb possible additional land-cost enhancement later? These requirements make clear that this was not simply an application for reserving a religious site; it involved significant financial and development obligations.

In Simple Words

GMADA offered one 1,000 sq. yd. Mandir site in Sector 77, Mohali to eligible registered organisations. The basic site price was: ₹1.1088 crore and with the stated 2% cess, the total came to: ₹1,13,09,760 Applicants initially needed to submit: ₹50,000 but a successful applicant would then have to make a much larger payment after receiving the LOI. Selection depended on the organisation's:

• credentials;
• public work;
• financial strength;
• genuineness; and
• ability to develop the project.

The scheme opened on 15 August 2024 and closed on 13 September 2024.

Application Address

Applications were to be submitted to: Additional Chief Administrator (Policy) Policy Branch, GMADA Hall No. 240, PUDA Bhawan Sector 62, S.A.S. Nagar either personally or by registered post before the closing date.

Suggested gmada.in Classification

Property / Estate Matters → Religious Sites → Sector 77 → Mandir Site Allotment Suggested status: Closed / Historical Scheme – Applications Closed 13 September 2024 Useful tags: Sector 77 · Mandir Site · Religious Site · 1,000 Sq. Yd. · Societies · Trusts · Freehold Allotment

Important Note

This advertisement was an invitation to apply, not confirmation that the site had already been allotted to any organisation. A later selection result, Letter of Intent or Allotment Letter would be required to establish who, if anyone, ultimately received the site. For complete and authoritative information, click “Open Original Document” to view the official source in full.