PUNE: Up to 10,000 cooperative housing societies in Maharashtra, primarily from Pune, Mumbai and Thane, are eager to initiate self-redevelopment of their properties, but waiting for the execution of the single-window approval system proposed in 2019.
The state housing department in a GR issued on Sept 13, 2019 had proposed for a single-window system for issuing clearances to allow self-redevelopment of 30-year-old and above properties. The Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank was made its nodal agency.
Suhas Patwardhan, the chairman of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Federation, said many 30-year-old housing societies in major cities were eager to undertake self-development, but postponing their plans owing to clearance issues from multiple departments. “Of the state’s 1.25 lakh registered housing societies, around 50% are considering redevelopment options. According to a recent discussion, 8,000-10,000 societies have expressed their interest in going for redevelopment. They are, however, hesitant because of clearances from various departments,” he said.
He said the federation had reached out to the CM, requesting him to implement the GR (govt resolution) issued in 2019 regarding the single-window clearance system. “We hope that the CM meets our demand, paving way for societies to take up self-redevelopment,” Patwardhan said.
“Govt had also proposed a 4% subsidised loan to housing societies going for self-redevelopment,” advocate Shreeprasad Parab, who is the expert director of the state housing federation, said.
A member of a housing society that was looking for self-redevelopment said there were several hurdles to get clearances from different departments, including property tax, electricity and collector. “This is a major hurdle for taking forward the redevelopment projects because societies may have to wait for years to secure the clearances,” the member said.
State cooperative department officials said they had not received any self-redevelopment proposal after govt announced that the deemed conveyance for such projects should be given within a month.
The federation members said Centre, through National Cooperative Union of India, was encouraging self-redevelopment of housing societies to make housing affordable. Meena Raut, a member of a 30-year-old housing society, said unless govt simplified the rules and made clearances easy, it would continue to be an issue. “The CM had announced the single-window system in his last term. He should push for the same now,” Raut, who stays in Kothrud, said.
The single-window system
It would have a software with rules and regulations with regards to redevelopment, enabling developers or housing societies to submit plans or proposals online
The software will forward the proposals to the respective departments for scrutiny and revert with corrections
Later, on re-submission of proposals, developers or societies would be informed about premiums, fees and taxes to be paid to the departments
The fees can be paid online. Later, NOCs and approvals would be issued online
QUOTE
The single-window system will ensure transparency and help in ease of doing business. It will also push for speedy development of the city, along with protecting citizens’ rights. We have been regularly following with govt and it is about time that they make it happen
Shreeprasad Parab | expert director Maharashtra State Housing Federation
