Mumbai: The BMC plans to introduce an amnesty scheme to grant occupation certificates (OC) to buildings that have remained without the mandatory approval, despite being occupied for years.The move is aimed at addressing a long-standing issue affecting several residential buildings across the city and suburbs. Civic officials said the scheme will apply to buildings constructed before Nov 17, 2016. These include structures where deviations from approved plans or additional constructions had earlier made them ineligible for OC certification.Currently, while such buildings are provided with water supply on humanitarian grounds, they are charged at rates significantly higher than standard tariffs. The absence of an OC has also created legal and financial challenges for residents, even as developers have largely exited these projects, said officials.According to guidelines being finalised by the BMC’s building proposals and development planning department, residential buildings, hospitals and schools will be eligible under the scheme. However, only those structures or parts thereof that have been in use prior to the Nov 2016 cut-off date will qualify. Additionally, housing units with a carpet area of up to 80 square metres will be covered. The scheme proposes a 50% concession on various charges, including regularisation fees, penalties, and application costs. Proposals submitted within the first six months of the scheme’s rollout will be exempt from penalties, while those submitted later will receive partial concessions.In Aug this year, residents of the 18 upper floors of Wellingdon Society, Tardeo to vacate their flats lacking an Occupation Certificate (OC), after which former BJP MP Gopal Shetty had intervened.Officials, though, clarified the scheme is not intended to regularise illegal constructions and will not apply to unauthorised buildings.The move follows directions from the state urban development department, which extended the eligibility cut-off date from March 25, 1991, to Jan 6, 2012, with further consideration given to buildings occupied before Nov 2016.The proposal and its guidelines will be placed before the municipal corporation and the standing committee for approval. Once cleared, the scheme will be implemented through an official circular.
