The Tamil Nadu government has said it will notify the rules under the Real Estate Regulatory Act and appoint a regulator by the month end, according to Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu.
Addressing a press conference jointly with the Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami following a review of urban development and housing projects supported by the Centre, he said the State government would implement RERA provisions to ensure that registration of property and construction is unaffected.
“Without RERA registrations cannot happen,” he said. Builders will now have to deliver on their commitments to buyers or face penal action, the Minister said. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands will also be covered by the Tamil Nadu RERA authority, Naidu added.
Laws governing the construction sector will also have to be modernised to ensure timely clearance of projects. Applications can be filed online and cleared in a time-bound manner.
Govt told to get moving
Naidu said he had urged the State government to expedite urban development projects. The Centre recognises that “some time has been lost in Tamil Nadu” due to events such as the demise of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa and the transition in the government. But he has now “impressed on the State to ensure projects progress speedily”, Naidu said.
Performance-driven States that focus on reform will be rewarded with additional support from the Centre, he said. For instance, last year Tamil Nadu topped in reforms and benefited with an additional 10 per cent funding of ₹61 crore for urban development schemes. This year the incentive has been doubled.
Urban local bodies have to be empowered with additional responsibilities and their revenue streams strengthened, including through user charges to ensure quality delivery of utilities. GIS mapping has helped cities to expand property tax income without enhancing tax rates. In Hyderabad, for instance, revenue increased to ₹1,035 crore from ₹735 crore.
In Bhubaneswar the local body is empowered to hand out contracts of up to ₹500 crore. “I have asked the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to increase the power of the urban local bodies,” Naidu said.
Central funding
Following the review meeting, the Union Minister handed over papers relating to funding of ₹1,083 crore for three projects, including ₹360 crore for urban rejuvenation schemes and ₹663 crore under the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme.
Chief Minister Palaniswami said the government has submitted a representation seeking additional support for housing for those displaced from slums along the city’s waterways; enhanced government subsidy under the affordable housing scheme; extending housing-for-all schemes to all local planning areas; and relaxation of coastal zone restrictions for housing for fishermen.
SourceFrom:http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/tn-will-notify-rera-within-fortnight-naidu/article9697772.ece
