Jammu : Chief Secretary Monday 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).
The meeting was attended by Chairperson, J&K RERA, Satish Chandra; Secretary, Rural Development Department; Commissioners of JMC/SMC; Inspector General of Registrations; Vice Chairpersons of Jammu Development Authority and Srinagar Development Authority; besides other senior officers of the concerned departments.
Addressing the meeting Chief Secretary emphasized the necessity for a coordinated and integrated approach to enhance enforcement mechanisms in the real estate sector, aiming to ensure transparency, accountability, and the protection of homebuyers’ interests in the Union Territory (UT). He urged Divisional and District Administrations to support the Jammu and Kashmir Real Estate Regulatory Authority (JKRERA) in effectively implementing the Act across both urban and rural areas. The Chief Secretary noted that non-compliance with the Act’s provisions results in disorganized development lacking essential facilities and legal safeguards. Satish Chandra, Chairperson of JKRERA, provided an overview of the Authority’s mandate and operations, established under a 2016 Act of Parliament. He highlighted that JKRERA oversees all residential and commercial real estate projects in the UT, including those exceeding 500 square meters or eight apartments. Registration with JKRERA is mandatory for real estate projects and agents, prohibiting any promotion or sale without such registration. The Act is designed to protect buyers’ rights and requires developers to provide necessary infrastructure, thereby preventing unplanned and substandard developments. The Authority detailed the processes for project and agent registration, complaint handling, and enforcement of statutory provisions. Aggrieved parties, including allottees and promoters, can file complaints through both online and offline channels. JKRERA has the authority to conduct inquiries and impose penalties for non-compliance, with penalties reaching up to 10 percent of the project cost and potential imprisonment for promoters violating registration requirements or failing to comply with Authority orders. The meeting also addressed awareness initiatives aimed at educating stakeholders about the Act’s provisions, buyer protections, and regulatory responsibilities. Key issues discussed included ambiguities in layout approvals for rural colonies, delays from multiple departmental approvals, and the need for improved inter-departmental coordination. To tackle these challenges, JKRERA proposed clearer delineation of approval authorities in rural areas, the establishment of a Single Window System for integrated approvals and registrations, and the creation of district-level enforcement cells under Deputy Commissioners to enhance monitoring and enforcement of RERA violations. These measures are intended to promote transparent, regulated, and planned development within the real estate sector across Jammu and Kashmir.
