As the government plans to purchase house and apartment for VVIPs, VIPs and high-ranking government officials, 10 property developers have filed applications at the Ministry of Urban Development expressing readiness to sell their projects to the government.

Former presidents, vicepresidents, prime ministers, judges, special personalities and members of constitutional bodies appointed after mid April, 2007, and incumbent high-ranking officials would be eligible to get such a facility, according to the government’s action plan.

The ministry had issued a public notice, seeking applications from real estate developers about a month ago. The government has said it took such a decision considering the “prestige” and “security concerns” of the beneficiaries.

Three projects — Housing and Development at Dhapashi, Civil Homes at Dhapakhel and City Basti Bikas at Khumaltar — have filed applications for standalone houses, according to the ministry’s Building Construction Maintenance Division Office. Similarly, seven projects — Westar Properties at Balkumari, Civil Estate at Sundhara, Civil Apartment at Dhapakhel, Lifestyle Housing at Sanepa, Cityscape Developers at Bakhudol, Down Town Housing at Khumaltar and Orchid Holdings at Rabi Bhawan - have applied for apartments.

“Since the real estate sector is facing a slowdown, property developers, especially those building apartments, have responded very positively to our notice,” said Suroj Raj Rajkarnikar, division chief and superintendent engineer at the division office. He added his office will soon call tender to take a final decision. “Even those companies which haven’t responded to our notice so far can participate in the tender.” The division office has started inspecting the project sites. Rajkarnikar said location, finishing and extra facilities are scrutinised during the inspection. Unveiled last month, the action plan has been formulated within the Nepal government’s Immediate Action Plan for Governance and Economic Reform 2012, which incorporates “management of residence for high rank officials and judges” in the Kathmandu valley.

The government plans to purchase 25 houses and 25 apartments initially. While the houses will be handed over to former secretaries, the apartments will be presented to the judges. According to Rajkarnikar, the initial plan is estimated to cost Rs 450 million.

The government plans to purchase 25 individual houses and 25 apartments in the first phase, which is estimated to cost Rs 450 million.

source: The Kathmandu Post, 18 March 2013