NT NETWORK
PANAJI
Although the Union government has brought the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 into force in the country from Monday, it would take quite some time before the state government frames the related rules, and then following receipt of connected suggestions and objections from the public as well as the stakeholders, notifies them so that the people can be benefited from this central legislation.
Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai on Monday said the state government would notify rules under the RERA in the next three months.
“I will tell the Chief Minister that we must formulate the rules under the RERA in the next three months, as we have already lost three months due to the prolonged election-related model code of conduct,” Sardesai said.
If the RERA is implemented then it would safeguard the interest of homebuyers. Registration of a builder along with his project would be made mandatory, and there would be no room for fraudsters to continue their business, he said.
Sardesai also said the RERA would enable homebuyers to book a flat by just paying the initial 10 per cent of the total amount and having an agreement for sale in which the builder would have to specify the date of completion.
After five years from the date of completion the builder will be responsible for maintenance.
While formulating the rules, the state government will ensure that there would not be discrimination based on caste, class and religion.
Sardesai said the RERA is not directly related to his department, and hence the government would also have to take inputs from the urban development and housing with housing board departments while formulating the said rules.
Minister for Urban Development Francis D’Souza told this daily that the real estate act, which came into force in the country from May 1, would provide protection to the purchasers of real estate including apartments, flats and bungalows, from the builders.
“Henceforth, the builders will not be able to cheat the customers,” he added.
Maintaining that the department of urban development has nothing to do with the formulation and notification of rules pertaining to the particular act, D’Souza said the department of town and country planning is the authority to frame these rules.
“Anyway, before notifying these rules, it would be desirable for the government to take the stakeholders in the construction business into confidence by asking them to provide related suggestions and objections,” he stated.
The particular legislation among other things will keep a check on the inordinate delays in the commercial construction projects as well as shoddy quality of construction.
Minister for Housing with Housing Board Jayesh Salgaonkar said that he would speak on the matter only after his department’s meeting to be held next week.