Mumbai’s much-awaited Occupation Certificate (OC) Amnesty Scheme has received a sluggish response, with only four housing societies successfully submitting applications as of November 3. Technical difficulties with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) AutoDCR online portal have reportedly prevented several applicants from completing the process.
Introduced in August, the scheme aims to benefit more than 19,000 buildings across Mumbai that are occupied without obtaining an OC. The civic body released the implementation guidelines on September 9.
The four applications received so far are from buildings located in Mahim, Mulund, Dadar-Naigaon and Borivali.
To address the technical hurdles and familiarise residents with the application procedure, the Practicing Engineers Architects & Town Planners Association (PEATA) organised an awareness programme on Tuesday. Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar attended as the chief guest, alongside BMC Development Plan Chief Engineer Sunil Rathod, NAREDCO India representative Rajan Bandelkar, architects and housing society members.
Shelar acknowledged the difficulties experienced by homebuyers who legally occupy properties purchased with their hard-earned money but have not received occupation certificates.
“It is our duty to provide solutions to citizens residing legally in flats purchased by their hard earned money. I request Architects that if any officer is not cooperating in OC scheme, they should approach me directly.”
He also encouraged PEATA to conduct similar awareness sessions across municipal wards.
Rathod clarified that the scheme could extend beyond BMC-regulated properties, with authorities such as MHADA and SRA able to introduce their own implementation guidelines. However, essential fire safety and other security requirements will remain mandatory.
Meanwhile, the BMC has approached the state Urban Development Department (UDD) seeking clarity on applications submitted by individual flat owners.
PEATA president Yomesh Rao said the penalty waiver applies during the first six months, followed by a 50% penalty reduction in the subsequent six months. Full penalties become applicable thereafter. He warned that technical delays are eating into the initial waiver period, leaving societies with only four months to benefit from the complete exemption.
PEATA and NAREDCO have advised societies to engage experienced architects to ensure applications are submitted correctly and within the stipulated deadline.
Source: The Free Press Journal
