Maharashtra developers take RTI route against government

By: Ravi Sinha

Track2Realty Exclusive

While the government is trying to regulate the developers with provisions of penalty and up to imprisonment, the developers in Maharashtra have decided expose the policy paralysis through RTI route. In what appears to be a head on move, the developers have decided to seek information on various approved plans and earned revenue in the last 10 years, to show that the state government is losing revenue because of its slow approval procedure and various wrong policies.

The Maharashtra Chambers of Housing Industry (MCHI) and Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) have decided to file RTI queries to seek details on approved plans and earned revenue.

However, there seem to be no consensus over the proposed strategy and many developers feel it can be counter-productive to the sectors’ fortunes. Requesting anonymity a MCHI-CREDAI told Track2Realty, “Taking a stand against the government and its officials will not help us. We should have an amicable and cordial relationship with them. Only then can any business can be done in the city and state. So, after a series of discussions, we may change our policy.”

Another developer admitted that they were equally responsible for the mess in the construction industry. “Our files are kept separately in the power corridors because we have made a habit of getting it cleared by greasing the palms,” he said in a candid observation.

MCHI President Paras Gundecha also played it safe to tone down the strategy, “We want to resolve the deadlock amicably. We will submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and present our problem. After that, we will take a further course of action.”

The Builders’ Association of India has recently issued a press release stating that the state is losing an opportunity to create nearly 1 lakh housing stock due to the introduction of new redevelopment regulations.

“It would have generated Rs9,882 crore revenue via the sale of additional FSI on a premium basis as per DC regulation 33(5)2-C-(ii),” states the press release.