THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
Around 36 decree holders gathered at the North Goa Collectorate on Wednesday to protest delays in executing orders against builder Venkatesh Prabhu Moni, accused of non-compliance with directives from the Goa Real Estate Regulatory Authority (GRERA).
The orders pertain to compensation and interest totalling Rs 11 crore and rectification of structural defects in the Prabhu Chambers building in Mapusa.
Speaking to reporters, Jitesh Kamat, a complainant and decree holder, stated that a delegation comprising Imran Sayed, Kedar Tari, Kishor Bhaidkar, Dr Harshad Pednekar and himself met North Goa Collector Sneha Gitte to demand swift action.
Despite multiple legal orders and assurances, the case remains unresolved, they said.
The dispute stems from the builder allegedly obtaining fraudulent occupancy certification in 2016 and coercing buyers to accept possession of a building riddled with defects.
When requests for rectification were ignored, the buyers approached GRERA. The authority issued two orders against the builder on March 17, 2022, and November 30, 2022, mandating rectifications and payment of compensation and interest.
GRERA also imposed a Rs 50 lakh penalty for failing to register the project.
Although Rs 3.5 crore has been recovered through property auctions under the Land and Revenue Act, approximately Rs 8 crore remains unpaid.
In addition, an arrest warrant issued by the District Court for non-compliance with non-monetary execution has been challenged by the builder in an appeal.
Kamat revealed that the delegation had previously met the Collector before Ganesh Chaturthi, receiving assurances of prompt action.
A show-cause notice was subsequently issued to the builder, followed by a second notice after the builder failed to respond adequately.
Despite these measures, proceedings have been delayed as the builder continues to cite what Kamat described as “frivolous reasons” to stall compliance.
The Collector has now assured the decree holders that a final hearing will be held next week, promising strict action thereafter.
However, Kamat expressed scepticism over the repeated delays and warned of escalating protests, including a dharna, if the matter is not resolved promptly.
He also urged the government to strengthen GRERA’s enforcement mechanisms and provide greater powers to Collectors to expedite execution proceedings.
“Government reforms like RERA were introduced to protect consumers from exploitation, but without stringent implementation, public faith in the legal system will erode,” Kamat said.
The decree holders await the outcome of the Collector’s promised actions, but their patience is running thin as they demand justice after years of waiting.
