RERA likely in Maharashtra by May 1

Housing department officials have said that Maharashtra will follow the Centre's Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, and is planning to publish the final rules this month so that the legislation can be implemented from May 1. The officials said the file for publishing the rules is in the final stages of approval. "There will be no dilution of the act from our side. There were concerns from consumer bodies after the draft rules were published and hearings were held by the department. After the hearing, necessary amendments have been incorporated in the rules, which are in consonance with the central act. We are working towards implementing RERA from May 1," a senior official from the housing department said. RERA came into force last May, and since October, states began issuing their version of the rules under the central act. The Maharashtra government published the draft rules in December and sought suggestions from consumer bodies. An officer appointed by the department on special duty later gave a hearing to some bodies from Pune and Mumbai. Over 650 suggestions and objections, many of which were a part of the act but not the draft, were heard. Advocate Shirish Deshpande from Mumbai Grahak Panchayat said that if there is no dilution of the Central act, then it is a welcome move as the draft was pro-developer. "We had put up our suggestions and have been told that they were incorporated. However, till I see the rules in print, I will not be assured," Deshpande said. The body had highlighted 53 objections which were not in consonance with the Central act. "There was definite dilution and we hope the final rules follow the central act," he said.