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To improve affordable housing availability, the Haryana government has introduced a new housing policy mandating that private developers in licensed residential colonies reserve 20% of plots and 15% of flats for economically weaker sections (EWS). The rule covers both plotted and group-housing projects approved under the state's town and country planning framework. EWS plots will range from 50 sq m to 125 sq m, priced at INR 600 per sq m, while flats between 200 sq ft and 400 sq ft will be priced up to INR 1.5 lakh. The Housing for All department will now oversee allotments digitally, with a mandatory five-year lock-in to prevent early transfers.
The Haryana government has announced a revised affordable housing policy that makes it compulsory for developers of licensed residential colonies to reserve 20% of their plots and 15% of their flats for the economically weaker sections (EWS) of society. The rule applies to all plotted and group-housing developments licensed under the state's Town and Country Planning Department. Advertisement
As per the policy framework, EWS plots will measure between 50 sq m and 125 sq m and must be handed over to the Housing for All department at a fixed rate of INR 600 per sq m. In group-housing projects, flats reserved for this category must be sized between 200 sq ft and 400 sq ft, with prices capped at INR 1.5 lakh per unit, equivalent to INR 750 per sq ft at the upper limit. The government has clarified that these rates are fixed and non-negotiable to ensure affordability for low-income buyers.
A major change under the new policy is the shift in responsibility for allotments. Previously, developers handled the allocation of EWS units directly. Now, the Housing for All department will manage the entire process, including inviting applications through public notices, verifying eligibility, and conducting computerised draws to ensure transparency. The department will rely on a digital database linked to Aadhaar and the Parivar Pehchan Patra (family ID) system to avoid duplication and to ensure that only eligible families receive benefits.
To prevent speculative trading or misuse, the government has enforced a five-year lock-in period on all EWS units. Any sale or transfer, including those made through power of attorney or will, before the completion of this period will result in cancellation of the allotment and a penalty equal to 100% of the sale value. The rule is intended to protect the policy's purpose of providing genuine housing to deserving families rather than allowing investors to benefit.
If EWS units remain unclaimed or unsold after the designated period, developers or the authorities can convert them into rental housing or offer them to residents of Haryana through an e-auction process. This clause ensures that the housing stock is utilised effectively and does not remain idle.
The new policy replaces the 2021 framework, which also mandated a 15% flat reservation but allowed private developers to manage allotments independently. According to officials, the earlier model led to irregularities and limited transparency. The revised structure now provides a centralised and digital mechanism under direct government supervision to improve accountability.
Officials from the Department of Town and Country Planning stated that this step is aimed at promoting inclusive urban growth and making affordable homes accessible to low-income households in cities such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Panchkula, and Sonipat. They added that ensuring strict implementation by developers would be a key priority in the coming months.
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