Gurgaon: New real estate body for buyer grievances

The Haryana government has hinted that it might set up a dedicated or exclusive body for Gurgaon

The Haryana government has hinted that it might set up a dedicated or exclusive body under Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) for Gurgaon as it accounts for more than 90 per cent of real estate deals in Haryana.

Gurgaon accounts for more than 90 per cent of real estate deals in Haryana. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

The move comes in the wake of growing clamour among apartment buyers, who are demanding strict action against recalcitrant developers.

Sources said a majority of complaints against builders are from Gurgaon. Therefore, some sections of the government believe that having a dedicated body for the city under RERA, which can function independently or under the aegis of Gurugram Development Authority (GDA) could be an ideal solution.

During a recent grievance committee meeting, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had suggested that a dedicated body or agency under the Real Estate Act could be established as majority of these issues came from Gurgaon.

Without giving any timelines, Khattar had also said that Haryana government would soon implement the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.

Sources said that the reason for the latest push for RERA was because chief minister Khattar was keen to ensure that work done by allottees grievances redressal forum and district grievances redressal forum to solve the problems between buyers and developers is not lost amid the clamour to have a larger state wide regulatory body.

In the last one year, the allottees grievances redressal forum led by deputy commissioner, Gurgaon, has played a key role in understanding the issues being faced by apartment buyers. The forum has also sent a strong message to the developer community to play by rules. The apartment buyers in fact have been pressing for a stronger regulatory body in Haryana, as they want action to be taken against violators.

In fact on the day, Khattar visited Gurgaon, a large number of apartment buyers carried out a twitter campaign calling for implementation of the RERA act.

One such buyer, Pradeep Dwivedi wrote on Twitter: @mlkhattar @Moud_India I heard today that even UP has notified RERA, seems Haryana is a bit behind in implementing it.”

Contacted, the builders sounded more careful and said they wanted a balanced real estate body that catered to the problems of both the sides.

“The authority is welcome but it should take into account the fact that rules in Haryana under Director General Town & Country Planning Department are completely different. Developers are facing problems and their concerns should also be addressed”, said Kamaljeet Singh, vice president, Bestech.

Industry body Naredco said it would be preferable to have a regulatory authority for the entire state rather than focusing just on Gurgaon. “If the authority is based in Gurgaon than the licences and permissions should also be given from here. A single window system also needs to be established”, said Parveen Jain, president, Naredco.