Update on Real Estate Bill

The central government has clarified that there is no definite time-frame for approval and implementation of the 'Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Bill, 2012.

The bill was prepared to promote planned and healthy real estate development of colonies and apartments with a view to protect consumer interest and to facilitate smooth and speedy urban construction.

"In order to provide a uniform regulatory environment to enforce disclosure, fair practice and accountability norms and fast track dispute resolution mechanism in real estate transactions, the ministry of housing and urban poverty alleviation has drafted the 'Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2012 in consultation with all stakeholders... Since necessary approvals for introducing the bill in Parliament have not been received, no time-frame can be assigned for its finalization at this juncture," states a press statement issued by the government.

The bill aims to establish a regulatory authority and an appellate tribunal to regulate, control and promote planned and healthy development and construction, sale, transfer and management of colonies, residential buildings and apartments.

As of now the Maharashtra Ownership of Flats (Regulation of the Promotion of Construction, Sale, Management and Transfer) Act, 1963 enables the state government to monitor timely completion of real estate projects. The draft cabinet note on the new bill has been circulated to all state governments for comments. A meeting with the state ministers dealing with the subject was also held recently.

"The state government has given its feed back to the central government regarding this bill and The state government

has held rounds of meetings with the municipal corporation office-bearers in the state. Considering the opposition from the real estate market, the bill is likely to get delayed," said a state government official.