Gurugram, Jan. 8 -- The department of town and country planning has decided to issue permissions for two guest houses in DLF Phase-3 (Sector 24) via auction, complying with Punjab and Haryana High Court orders, as there are 12 applicants for two permits. The combined land area of the applicants exceeds 5,500 square metres, surpassing the prescribed limit. "Guest house permissions will be granted in sector 24 through auction due to the number of applications exceeding the prescribed limit. The entire process will be conducted transparently and in accordance with the rules. This action is being taken as per directions of DTCP," said senior town planner (Gurugram) Renuka Singh. A senior DTCP official said a three-member committee will conduct a manual auction, headed by the senior town planner and including the DTP (planning) and an officer from the Chandigarh headquarters. DTCP officials said notices will be issued to all eligible applicants, who will be required to deposit Rs.1 lakh as earnest money in the form of a demand draft to participate in the auction. The bidding will begin at Rs.1,000 per square metre, officials said. The DTCP's guest house policy, implemented April 8, 2021, stipulates a plot must be between 500 and 1500 square yards on a 24-metre-wide or main service road. Guest houses are permitted in any sector up to a maximum area of 1.25 acres, but only where electricity, water, sewerage, and other development works are complete. New permissions stop once the prescribed limit is reached. Officials stated this is the first time the department will use an auction to grant such permissions....