Occupancy certificate issued to building under construction (ToI)

TNN | Jan 20, 2014, 03.28 AM IST PANAJI: The department of urban development has initiated action following a complaint by Fatorda youth association demanding cancellation of an occupancy certificate issued by the Margao municipal council (MMC) to an under- construction building under its jurisdiction. The occupancy certificate was issued on November 6, 2012, for a building near the Kadamba bus stand in the South Goa planning and development authority (SGPDA) market complex. The complainant alleged that the occupancy certificate was given even though the building is still under-construction. Custodio Dias, one of the three complainants, said the occupancy certificate was issued not only before the construction was fully completed but despite non-maintenance of sufficient parking space. Thereafter, on December 5, 2013, the department of urban development directed the Margao municipal council's chief officer to constitute an independent team of engineers to obtain a factual report and thereafter, take an appropriate decision. It was also directed to verify whether the parking space maintained, fits into the prescribed norms under Planning and development area regulation. Deepali Naik, chief officer, Margao municipal council, submitted the report. In the report submitted, the urban development department stated the occupancy certificate was granted on November 6, 2012 based on an affidavit dated November 11, 2012 stating that work would be completed within 45 days from thereafter. The report also clarified that the work has still not been completed till date though occupancy was granted in November 2012. On the basis of occupancy certificate granted, the developer was also granted NOC for permanent electricity as well as a water connection. The department thereafter issued a showcause notice to the developer asking why the occupancy certificate issued in its favour should not be suspended. Replying to the department's notice, however, the developer denied allegations made in the complaint maintaining that the construction has been completed in totality. The urban development department has now directed Margao municipal council to re-open the case and take a further decision. Dias, the complainant, stated that if they found that the authorities are shirking their responsibility, they would move the high court. "The developer has hardly maintained any parking space," he charged, declaring their intention to go before the court to force the authorities to act. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Occupancy-certificate-issued-to-building-under-construction/articleshow/29077315.cms