Maharashtra to Resolve 1,124 MahaRERA Cases in Three Months: Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule
The Maharashtra government has announced that all pending cases registered with the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) will be resolved within the next three months. This commitment was made by State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule in the Legislative Council while responding to a query raised by MLC Niranjan Davkhare.
According to Minister Bawankule, 1,124 cases of homebuyer fraud have been registered across Maharashtra under MahaRERA. Of these, 182 cases have been resolved, leading to the recovery of Rs 137 crore from developers. However, the total value of fraudulent transactions in these cases amounts to Rs 672 crore. The government has set a target to expedite the resolution of the remaining cases and facilitate the recovery of funds for affected homebuyers within the next three months.
Concerns Over Low Recovery Rates in Certain Regions
MLC Niranjan Davkhare raised concerns about the slow pace of recovery in key areas such as Thane, Raigad, and Palghar. He pointed out that only 3% of the total amount due in these regions had been recovered. He questioned the government on its plans to enforce stricter regulations and whether steps would be taken to fast-track cases to protect homebuyers from fraudulent developers.
Davkhare also highlighted cases where developers had allegedly submitted fake MahaRERA certificates to mislead homebuyers. In Thane, Raigad, and Palghar, at least 840 homebuyers were affected by fraudulent sales. He called for strict legal action against these developers and sought clarity on how the government planned to provide relief to the victims.
Government’s Strategy for Recovery and Accountability
In response to these concerns, Minister Bawankule emphasized that MahaRERA was established to ensure transparency in real estate transactions and protect homebuyers from fraud. He explained that district collectors have the authority to recover funds from developers found guilty of violating MahaRERA norms. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to recovering the remaining amount and assured that all necessary steps would be taken to bring relief to affected homebuyers within the given timeframe.
Mr. Bawankule also addressed cases where landowners had been misled by developers. He stated that the government is working on measures to liquidate assets owned by fraudulent developers to compensate homebuyers and landowners. This approach aims to ensure that those affected by real estate fraud receive the necessary financial compensation.
Special Meeting to Address Fraudulent Activities
During the legislative session, MLC Davkhare flagged a scam in the Kalyan-Dombivli region, where developers allegedly created fake MahaRERA IDs to sell apartments. Minister Bawankule acknowledged the issue and assured that a special meeting would be held in the final week of the ongoing legislative session to discuss government interventions against such fraudulent activities.
Challenges and the Need for Stricter Enforcement
The government’s assurance comes amid rising concerns about real estate fraud in Maharashtra. While MahaRERA was introduced to improve transparency and accountability in the sector, fraudulent developers have found ways to exploit loopholes, causing financial losses to homebuyers. The state government’s commitment to faster case resolutions and stricter enforcement is expected to bring relief to affected buyers.
The focus on resolving pending cases within three months aims to restore confidence in Maharashtra’s real estate market. With increased scrutiny and legal measures against fraudulent practices, homebuyers hope for timely resolutions and stricter penalties for developers violating MahaRERA guidelines. The effectiveness of these measures will depend on the implementation of recovery mechanisms and enforcement actions by the authorities.
