Builders Can Get Project Approval on Padwa

Cash-strapped state govt suggests bldg proposal depts of civic bodies work on Gudhi Padwa

- Yogesh Naik

MUMBAI: In a first, the state government has suggested to building proposal departments of respective municipal corporations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to function on Gudhi Padwa (Sunday), so that developers can gain a go-ahead on their projects on the auspicious occasion, and also avoid paying the hike in processing fee and premiums which will kick in when the revised Ready Reckoner (RR) rates are implemented on April 1.

Officials in the know have told HT that the suggestion to keep offices open for builders on the holiday came up in one of the meetings of the state urban development department (UDD), which is helmed by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, recently.

The prevailing norm is to keep the stamps and registration, and transport departments open on Gudhi Padwa, as it is the day people look forward to registering their new properties and vehicles. However, a cash-strapped government decided to make the exception this year for builders, ahead of the close of the financial year. It is an opportunity for corporations to bolster their revenue. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), Kalyan Dombivili Municipal Corporation (KDMC) and Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) were quick to embrace the new norm.

According to its annual budget, the state's revenue deficit in 2024-25 is estimated at ₹26,536 crore and fiscal deficit is expected to be ₹1.33 lakh crore. Thanks to its many populist schemes, launched ahead of the Assembly elections, the numbers are expected to escalate.