FPCE recommends to PMO to bring RERA officials under the ambit of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

Homebuyer’s body - Forum For People's Collective Efforts (FPCE) has recommended to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to bring officials enforcing the provisions of the Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act (RERA) under the ambit of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

In its letter to the PMO, the FPCE has also recommended that all orders passed under RERA should be subjected to audit by the Comptroller Auditor General of India (CAG) to make sure that they comply with RERA provisions.

The FPCE has also raised concern remarks from the regulators against RERA. FPCE is of the view that the remarks from regulators who are expected to enforce the provisions of RERA, are aimed at preparing the ground for an amendment to the Act. The FPCE also noted that such casual observations by the regulators not only question but also abuse and challenge the wisdom of legislators, the cabinet, the governments and the judiciary, who have together prepared the RERA act after a rigorous process over the years.

The FPCE has suggested that all proceedings of RERA, appellate authorities and the Conciliation Forum should be held in-camera with provisions for a live-feed.

In order to ensure transparency, the forum has suggested a web link to be made available to the public and an audit of the website should be ordered by State Governments to check whether RERA provisions are being implemented. The letter says that penalties levied while granting extension to builders, along with their reasons should be properly stated along with the other disclosures.

An orientation course for all RERA officials has been recommended by the FPCE in which the officials would be counselled to stick to the brief. It has also said that the Housing Ministry should recommend to the State Governments to issue showcause notices to the chairpersons/members of their state, for their alleged campaign against RERA.

Lastly, the FPCE has demanded that all RERA authorities be barred from attending the events organised by builders’ bodies as this can result in a conflict of interest.