2 months on, wait for OC amnesty plan continues

Almost two months after the BJP-led Mahayuti government announced a new policy that would provide relief to nearly 25,000 buildings across Mumbai that lack an occupation certificate (OC), a government resolution (GR) detailing the amnesty scheme is still awaited.

- Devashri Bhujbal MUMBAI

Although the urban development department (UDD) says that the approval is in the final stage and the GR will be published anytime soon, citizens are clueless about how to apply for the scheme.

"The amnesty plan to regularise buildings in Mumbai was sent by the BMC to the UDD in 2022, but the approval was pending. After the current government announced the new OC policy, a committee, chaired by ex-MP Gopal Shetty, was appointed to address the hurdles," a senior officer from the civic body's development plan department said.

The GR's issuance will clarify the changes made as it is not only the BMC, but other authorities like MHADA, MIDC and railways are also included, he added. However, the officer said that the state government is yet to issue guidelines on how housing societies or commercial properties will apply under the new policy, the criteria and documents required, etc.