Govt to amend housing regulatory bill

The severe criticism that followed the state’s tabling of a toothless housing regulatory bill in the last assembly session has forced the government to make a few amendments in the original form of the bill, aimed at protecting consumer interests.

The move came after the government received nearly 3,500 suggestions and objections from developers, architects, engineers, housing societies, NGOs and even individual citizens in the last 12 days, mostly over the ineffectiveness of the proposed regulatory bill.

Now, crucial issues relating to the possible amendments will be discussed by a joint committee meeting on June 6.

Stating that the government was intent on giving “the bill to both buyers and developers”, state housing minister Sachin Ahir said: “There are a couple issues, including car parking and FSI, conveyance deed and inclusion of ‘criminal offence’ clause that will be discussed in the meeting.”

According to Mahendra Kaji, deputy secretary at Vidhan Bhavan, the government plans to prepare a booklet of all the suggestions and objections before submitting them to the Ahir-led joint selected committee, which will scrutinise them before subsequently making the amendments.

Admitting that the government was contemplating adding the ‘criminal offence’ clause while amending the original bill, Ahir said: “If the developer fails to follow the prescribed housing rules, then there is monetary punishment. Here, the developer may choose to pay up and escape the law. Hence the effort to add the ‘criminal offence’ clause”, for which the final decision will be taken at the joint committee meeting.”

The government is also trying to make the bill more consumer-oriented, so that buyers go through fewer hassles. “We are taking all precautions to safeguard buyers from unscrupulous developers, apart from streamlining the real estate industry,” said an official, who is part of the joint committee.

But Ramesh Prabhu, president of Maharashtra Societies Welfare Association, is not convinced.  While charging the government with trying to protect the developers, he suggested the government should call all experts and interested citizens to an open forum for a discussion.

“We want a stronger bill for which I have submitted my suggestions and objections. I expect the authorities to consider them while drafting the final bill,” said Prabhu.