The Central government’s housing scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), is a flagship programme that aims to provide shelter for the needy. However, in Bhopal, instances of irregularities in projects under this schemes are continue to emerge. In a recent one it has come to light that municipal corporation has ignored Government’s guidelines and not registered its Bhauri Project with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). It is learnt that Bhauri Project is not the only one that has violated norms, other projects are also under scanner. RERA has taken action against the BMC. As per the regulatory body’s decision, it has imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh against the Commissioner, Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), for violating Section 3 of the RERA Act, 2016. In the judgement as passed by the quasi judicial body, it has been discovered that the PMAY Project in Bhauri which comprises 834 flats was being constructed without RERA registration. The corporation has also taken Rs 32,20,000 from the people in lieu of booking their ‘dream’ home but after the order by the RERA, the money of the people is blocked. Additionally, the proposal for RERA registration of the PMAY Project at Rahul Nagar has been also rejected by the regulatory authority. Ironically, as per the information by the BMC, 288 flats have been booked by people as of March, aggravating the situation for the home seekers.

 

‘The Hitavada’ carried out an investigations into allegations and spoke to the concerned authorities. The newspaper posed questions to the Urban and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya in the month of February. He had ensured smooth and transparent approach, if there is any lacuna. He stated “Soon I will look in to the matter.” But after passing two months nothing has been done. Except, transfer of BMC Commissioner and exasperating delays for home seekers. Prior to questioning Kailash Vijayvargiya, ‘The Hitavada’ had raised the issue of irregularities before the then minister Bhupendra Singh during Shivraj Chouhan regime. However, Singh averted the question and later refused to answer. Even after shifting of power in the State and Mohan Yadav-led government formation, it seems that there is no improvement in this project barring people’s plight has aggravated. Those who have booked the flat paying hefty sum of money under this scheme are bound to wait for indefinite period. At several sites (for which even full payment has been made) any construction is yet to take shape.

 

Interestingly, on being asked for providing the list of projects registered under RERA, an official of the ‘Housing For All’ (HFA) Project, on the condition of anonymity said, “though the list for the same is under process since various additions have to made there, but it can be confirmed that all the projects under the scheme are not certified by the RERA.” Speaking on the same, petitioner in the case Nitin Saxena said, “We filed a complaint regarding the issue. The BMC came up with a huge and ambitious project in Bhauri with more than 800 flats but the corporation had a RERA approval regarding the same which violated the provisions as specified under RERA Act 2016 and as a result of that a fine of Rs 1 lakh has been imposed on the BMC Commissioner. As per the act, a RERA registration is required for sale of any government, semi-government or private building project. But the corporation has sidelined all the rules thus leaving the people to suffer and wait for their homes. Also, the people who have submitted money for the project have also been reduced to a pendulum like situation,” he said.

 

As per the observations by RERA, under the PMAY Project, two projects named A and B are under progress in Bhauri. These include 504 houses of EWS (economically weaker sections) non-slum houses of 1 BHK and 331 projects of LIG (low income groups) row houses. The corporation has also received Rs 28,00,000 and Rs 4,20,000 from those who have booked their projects under LIG and EWS (non-slum) category. It is noteworthy that as per Section 3 of the RERA Act, “No promoter can advertise, market, book, sell or offer for sale, or invite persons to purchase in any manner any plot, apartment or building, as the case may be, in any real estate project or part of it, in any planning area, without registering the real estate project with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority.” In Madhya Pradesh, a former minister had recently alleged that a major scam was brewing around the PMAY in nagar panchayats falling under the Bagli Assembly constituency.