MUMBAI: Thousands of residents living in buildings without an Occupancy Certificate (OC) could now get relief, with the BMC bringing out a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for an amnesty scheme for buildings occupied before November 17, 2016. The scheme will come into effect from the date of publication of the circular.
The scheme allows eligible residential buildings, hospitals and schools to seek an OC in cases where, despite the building having received the requisite approvals, the OC was not granted on account of procedural issues, non-compliance by the original developer or other pending requirements. However, the amnesty does not provide a blanket regularisation of illegal construction.
Which buildings qualify?
The scheme will apply to the above-named eligible structures provided they satisfy some conditions. Residential buildings must be able to produce an IOD (Intimation of Disapproval), approved plan and Commencement Certificate (CC) from the BMC, and applicants will have to establish that the building was actually occupied before November 17, 2016. Individual units must have a carpet area of up to 80 square metres and no more.
A building will be treated as residential if more than 50% of its use is residential. Commercial shops and offices located in these buildings can also apply under the scheme, but they will not receive any financial concessions.
