NT NETWORK
PANAJI
The state cabinet on Wednesday decided to hand over the charge of the yet-to-be-formed Real Estate Regulatory Authority to the urban development department headed by Francis D’Souza.
The RERA had initially been under the department of town and country planning, which is headed by Vijay Sardesai of Goa Forward Party, a coalition partner in the government.
Sardesai had even announced to notify the rules and set up the authority to regulate the real estate sector in the state under the new central law – Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act.
It is learnt that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar at the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday clarified that the particular decision arrived in the wake of central government’s directions which mandated that the body to regulate real estate be under the urban development department.
There were murmurs after the cabinet meeting that Sardesai had objected to handing over of the RERA charge to the UD department.
However, Sardesai told ‘The Navhind Times’ that he did not have any issue over the RERA going to the urban development department, which will work on framing rules and making appointments for the regulatory authority and an appellate tribunal under the central act.
D’Souza confirmed that the UD department has been made the nodal body for the RERA following the directions of the Centre.
D’Souza, who had held the TCP portfolio in the previous government, said that during his tenure the TCP had drafted RERA rules and that he intends to notify the same.
“The TCP had drafted proper regulations under the RERA. We had held consultations with stakeholders on the same. I intend to notify the same rules as soon as possible,” he stated.
According to Section 85 of the central act, rules are required to be notified by the regulatory authority within three months of its formation.
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act came into force on May 1 in the country. The act seeks to bring clarity and fair practices that will protect the interests of buyers and also impose penalties on errant builders.
The cabinet also approved to appoint 21 instructors for industrial training institutes, as the strength of students at the ITIs has increased by 700.
The state government has received Rs 2.5 crore from the Centre for upgrading the ITIs.
In another decision, Zuari Agro Chemical Ltd has been appointed as an ‘industry partner’ by the government to upgrade and develop the Vasco ITI. The students who pass out from the Vasco ITI will be accommodated by the Zuari Agro Chemical Ltd.
