MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has rolled out a standard operating procedure (SOP) for an amnesty scheme to grant Occupation Certificates (OCs) to certain buildings that do not have them, despite families already living in the premises.The scheme covers residential buildings, hospitals and schools that were occupied before November 17, 2016, and had the required sanctioned development permissions but did not obtain an OC.
Which buildings qualify?
Buildings must have the required development permissions and must have been occupied before November 17, 2016. The scheme does not apply to buildings constructed without the necessary approvals.Applicants must have a valid Intimation of Disapproval (IOD), approved plans and a Commencement Certificate (CC). The scheme cannot be used to legalise an unauthorised building.
How can pre-2016 occupation be proved?
Applicants can use property assessment or tax records, electricity bills and BMC notices to establish that the premises were occupied before the cut-off date. Other specified professional or municipal documents may also be accepted.For concessions, the carpet area must generally be up to 80 sq m before regularisation. The area can exceed 80 sq m after regularisation.Shops and offices can also qualify if the building is predominantly residential, though they will not be eligible for financial concessions. For a building to be considered residential, more than 50% of its use must be residential.An individual owner can apply even if the entire housing society does not apply.
How to apply?
Applications can be submitted online through BMC’s AutoDCR system as an amnesty OC proposal. Applicants can also apply through an appointed architect or licensed surveyor.Once the proposal is submitted, BMC will scrutinise it. The SOP provides 15 days for objections or representations and for submission of missing documents.
What does the amnesty offer?
The scheme provides a 50% discount on specified regularisation charges, including penalties for balcony enclosures, otlas, lofts and other eligible violations.However, the SOP does not legalise unauthorised construction. It specifically bars using the scheme to authorise unauthorised construction; only deviations or additional areas covered under the scheme can be considered for regularisation.
