Real Estate Bill: Opposition plans to put Centre on the mat

K V Prasad

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 3

The Opposition parties are gearing up for another round of confrontation with the government over the Real Estate Bill and plan to move a motion demanding that the proposed legislation be referred to a parliamentary select committee for scrutiny.

The Opposition is upset over the manner in which the ruling coalition decided to bring the Bill up for consideration and passage on Tuesday in the Rajya Sabha when the House resumes sitting after a three-day break.

On Thursday, the government was forced to defer the Bill as the opposition that enjoys majority insisted that the Bill be sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu sought time to hold informal consultations with the members who may have apprehensions on the Bill before coming back to the House.

However, with the Bill being listed on the Tuesday’s schedule of business the Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad got in touch with leaders of parties in the opposition to work out a common strategy in taking on the government.

CPM general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Sitaram Yechury told The Tribune, his colleague Ritabrata Banerjee would submit a notice tomorrow that the Bill be referred to a committee. “The entire opposition stood up against it last week and will do so again”, he said today.

Other than referring the Bill to a committee, the Congress that is the single-largest party in the Rajya Sabha, is working on a strategy that in case the government seeks to push the Bill, then work towards its defeat or incorporate amendments to the Bill.

On Saturday, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi took up cudgels on behalf of the middle-class home buyers and accused the government of diluting the one prepared by the UPA to favour builders as against a buyer friendly arrangement the Congress envisaged.

The Modi government amended the 2013 Bill currently the property of the House that according to Congress party internal note would lead to more delay in completion of projects; misguide buyers on the concept of carpet area; provide leeway to builders to delay projects; give freedom to the builders to hoodwink the buyers by making structural deviations; do away with holding promoters with direct liability or not to have bookings before scrutiny and approval of real-estate projects. 

The Congress drafted the Bill with a view to promote fair play in real estate transactions and ensure timely completion of projects to protect the interests of middle and low-income classes of society. 

The Modi Government amended it this April and now plans to move it for consideration and passage.