Civic body website to display list of buildings with OC
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) website will now display the names of all city buildings that have an occupational certificate (OC).
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) website will now display the names of all city buildings that have an occupational certificate (OC).
The decision was taken last week, after more that one lakh flat owners of 6,000 buildings in the city have had to bear the brunt of the absence of an OC by paying water charges that are double the usual.
“We plan to display the names of buildings with an OC as this might help buyers,” said Sitaram Kunte, municipal commissioner, BMC. “I have asked my staff to compile a comprehensive list of buildings that do not have an OC,” he added. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the state’s plan to launch another amnesty scheme with less than 100 buildings taking advantage of the previous one.
Recently, in response to a Right to Information (RTI) query, the civic body had stated that there was the lack of comprehensive data on status of the OC of buildings. Welcoming the decision, Anil Galgali, RTI activist and chairman, Athak Seva Sangh said that the move would help flat buyers. Galgali also demanded that the BMC display names of the errant builders.
The BMC issues an OC only when the builder has adhered to all rules as specified in the development control. However over the years, builders have started handing over flats to buyers without the required OC. As a result, the civic body charged the inhabitants of these buildings double the usual water charges.
Mandatory Document
A building is given an occupational certificate (OC) only after it meets all conditions as per the Intimation of Disapproval, which in turn are in accordance with development control rules
A building without an OC is considered to be illegal and cannot be occupied
However, very often, owners are given possession of the flat with the builder’s assurance that the OC will be provided soon
For years, activists have been demanding that builders who do not provide an OC be blacklisted by the civic body.
