Civic body warns unregistered builders

Pune has been witnessing an unprecedented growth of buildings over the last few years. Out of the huge number of buildings in the city, during August, it was noticed that only less than 80 buildings were registered with the Pune Municipal Corporation.

Following the statistics, the civic authority had decided not to give approvals to builders for new construction projects, from September 1st, unless they were registered beforehand.

Pune Municipal Corporation had started the registration process on 1st of August, and had provided a month’s time to builders, to register themselves before starting off with their projects. In August, the Municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak announced that as many as 72 builders had registered with the civic authority and that the authority will not accept building proposals from unregistered builders from September 1st.

During the month of June, Pune saw a number of buildings and walls collapsing within the city limits. Registration was made mandatory in the light of this event. According to officials, PMC can be held responsible for such mishaps, only if the builder of the construction is registered and the proposal of construction is approved by it. In cases where the same is not done, the builder would be the sole person accountable for the accident.

Within two months of the announcement of mandatory registration, about 450 builders in the city, out of the odd 1000 builders, have registered themselves with the authority.

Building permission clauses in Real Estate Bill 2011

The following clauses are mentioned in the Real Estate Bill of 2011 :

• No promoter shall develop any immovable property or make any construction thereon or alteration thereof or convert any existing undeveloped immovable property or part of it, without registering the real estate project and obtaining a certificate of registration from the Real Estate Regulatory Authority.
• After registration, if the builder is found to be involved in illegal construction activities, he would be banned from further constructions within the PMC limits and would be called for a hearing by the court. The license can be suspended during the inquiry period and if the builder is found to be guilty, it can be permanently canceled

• No prior registration with Real Estate Regulatory Authority would be required for construction under the following circumstances :

(a) when the area of land proposed to be developed does not exceed 4000 square meters, or an area as notified by the Central Government in consultation with the States and Union Territories from time to time, which may be different for different States or Union Territories;

(b) where the promoter has sought all permissions and received all requisite approvals for the development of immovable property one year prior to the commencement of this Act;

(c) for the purpose of renovation or repair which does not involve re- allotment and marketing of immovable property.