BMC Proposes Amnesty Scheme for Occupation Certificates in Mumbai
In a significant move to address urban governance challenges, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to introduce an amnesty scheme aimed at granting occupation certificates (OC) to buildings that have been occupied for years without this mandatory approval. This initiative targets residential structures across Mumbai and its suburbs, seeking to resolve a persistent issue affecting numerous residents.
Eligibility and Scope of the Scheme
The scheme will apply specifically to buildings constructed and occupied before November 17, 2016. This includes structures where deviations from approved plans or additional constructions previously disqualified them from obtaining an OC. According to civic officials, the absence of an OC has led to legal and financial hurdles for residents, especially as developers have often abandoned these projects.
Currently, such buildings receive water supply on humanitarian grounds but are charged at rates significantly higher than standard tariffs, adding to residents' burdens. The amnesty scheme aims to alleviate these challenges by providing a pathway to regularization.
Key Guidelines and Concessions
The BMC's building proposals and development planning department is finalizing guidelines that will make residential buildings, hospitals, and schools eligible under this scheme. However, only those parts of structures that have been in use prior to the November 2016 cut-off date will qualify. Additionally, the scheme will cover housing units with a carpet area of up to 80 square metres.
To encourage participation, the proposal includes a 50% concession on various charges, such as regularization fees, penalties, and application costs. A notable incentive is that proposals submitted within the first six months of the scheme's rollout will be exempt from penalties entirely, while those submitted later will receive partial concessions.
Background and Recent Developments
This move follows directions from the state urban development department, which extended the eligibility cut-off date from March 25, 1991, to January 6, 2012, with further consideration for buildings occupied before November 2016. It comes in the wake of incidents like the case of Wellingdon Society in Tardeo, where residents of 18 upper floors were asked to vacate due to lack of an OC, prompting intervention by former BJP MP Gopal Shetty in August this year.
Officials have clarified that the scheme is not intended to regularize illegal constructions and will not apply to unauthorized buildings. The proposal and its guidelines will be presented to the municipal corporation and the standing committee for approval. Once cleared, implementation will proceed through an official circular, marking a step towards resolving long-standing civic issues in Mumbai.
