the goan I network
MARGAO
Former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Friday urged the stakeholders, including the architects and engineers to come out with concrete suggestions to amend the provisions of the RERA Act and rules in order to do away with the lacunas that have come up in the implementation of the Act.
Saying that the intention behind enacting the RERA Act was good in the wake of exploitation of the consumers and home buyers by unscrupulous builders and real estate developers, Kamat, however, said that lacunas, if any, can be removed from the RERA Act and rules if the stakeholders come out with concrete suggestions.
Addressing the two-day national seminary on “RERA for Transparent real estate” held at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao organised by the Institution of Engineers (India), Goa State in association with Goa RERA, Kamat, however, reminded that RERA is an important piece of legislation which was enacted with the view to protect the interest and rights of the consumers from exploitation.
“The Bill was introduced in Parliament by the Centre with a view to bring out some Legislation to protect the interests of the consumers. During a presentation by then Union Urban Development Minister, Kumari Shailaja, the Centre had explained how unscrupulous builders and real estate developers were exploiting gullible consumers, especially in North India. Though we have not witnessed such massive frauds by the builders in Goa, the importance of RERA cannot be diluted as it is intended to protect the consumers,” he said.
Referring to the general perception, especially amongst the building industry that RERA ought to have balanced the requirements of the building industry and also protect the interests of the consumers, Kamat said the importance of the building industry cannot be underestimated as it is involved in providing the required infrastructure needed for the development of the State and the country.
“I feel that such seminars will help deliberate the Act and rules in detail and come out with concrete suggestions which can be then presented to the powers that be to bring necessary amendment to the Act and the rules,” he added.
In his address, Chairman of the Institution of Engineers (India), Goa Chapter Chandrashekar Prabhudesai said the organisers would like to bring about awareness on consumer rights, protection, functions and duties and responsibilities of builders, engineers, chartered accountants, lawyers and government through this seminar.
Convenor Austin Rodrigues said the seminar will also highlight the redressal and adjudicating mechanism through RERA along with case studies.
