PUNE: The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) will, from January 2018, provide consumers with the conciliation option on its website before they register complaints against developers.

For the consumers going for the new option, MahaRERA is planning to set up 15 conciliation benches – 10 in Mumbai and 5 in Pune. The benches will try to work out a compromise formula before a consumer files a complaint under the Real Estate Regulation Act (RERA) or before the authority starts hearing the case. Two members each will be appointed for the 15 benches with representations from the developer’s body and the association of consumers. For the Mumbai bench, one representative will be from the National Real Estate Development Council and another from the Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP). In Pune, the bench will be represented by a Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (Credai) member and another from MGP.

Sources said the benches will be set up with effect from January and the MahaRERA website will provide all related details. “MahaRERA is working on the software and the details will be soon on the website to help the consumers select the option of the bench and other details,” a source said.

Activists say new option a win-win situation for all

Over 1,000 cases have been filed with MahaRERA since August 1. RERA officials said the benches would function as an alternative dispute resolution system. “If a case is not resolved at the bench, the consumers can go for the complaint option,” an official said. Credai-Maharashtra president Shantilal Kataria said, “We took the initiative for setting up the benches and have offered our infrastructure for the facility to become operational. This is a sort of arbitration and we are sure that the bench will help resolve the issues more amicably. This will save both time and money of the complainants and developers.”

MGP president Shirish Deshpade said MahaRERA will publicise the concept for the consumers’ benefits. “It’s a win-win situation for both the consumers and the developers,” he said.

Forum for People’s Collective Efforts president Abhay Upadhyay said it has written to the chief minister expressing willingness to be a part of such a panel. “Our focus is to ensure justice for home buyers across the country,” he said. Activist Vijay Kumbhar said the bench should use its discretion and give the right advice that suits both the parties. He said, “There should be no pressure tactics in the process and a consumer should not be prevented from filing the case. My only concern is that consumers should get justice.”

Source: TOI