Jammu, Dec 8: Chief Secretary today reviewed the implementation status of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 in Jammu & Kashmir during a detailed meeting of Jammu & Kashmir Real Estate Regulatory Authority (JKRERA).
Emphasising the need for a coordinated and integrated approach, the Chief Secretary underscored the importance of strengthening enforcement mechanisms to ensure transparency, accountability and protection of homebuyers’ interests in the real estate sector across the UT.
He called upon the concerned Divisional and District Administrations to extend all necessary assistance to JKRERA for effective implementation of the Act in both municipal as well as rural areas. He observed that non-compliance with the provisions of the Act leads to haphazard development, often without the basic facilities and statutory safeguards mandated under law.
Earlier, Chairperson, J&K RERA, Satish Chandra, briefed the meeting on the mandate and functioning of the Authority, which was established under an Act of Parliament in 2016. He informed that JKRERA exercises jurisdiction over all residential and commercial real estate projects in the Union Territory, including plotted developments exceeding 500 square metres or eight apartments, as envisaged under Section 3 of the Act.
He further stated that registration of eligible real estate projects and real estate agents with JKRERA is mandatory, and no promoter is permitted to advertise, market or sell any project without such registration. The Act, he added, ensures protection of buyers’ rights and mandates developers to provide requisite infrastructure and facilities, thereby preventing unplanned and sub-standard developments.
The Authority also briefed the meeting on the mechanisms in place for registration of projects and agents, complaint filing and disposal, and enforcement of statutory provisions. It was informed that any aggrieved person, including allottees, promoters and real estate agents, can file complaints under Section 31 of the Act through both online and offline modes. JKRERA is empowered to conduct inquiries and recover penalties as arrears of land revenue in cases of non-compliance.
The meeting was apprised of the stringent penalty provisions under the Act, which include penalties extending up to 10 per cent of the project cost and imprisonment for promoters in cases of violations such as non-registration of projects and failure to comply with the orders of the Authority or the Appellate Tribunal.
