Bhubaneswar: Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) has directed complainants, allottees and promoters to remain physically present during hearings before its conciliation and dispute resolution (CDR) cell, expressing concern over their prolonged absence in several pending cases.In an order issued recently, ORERA said it had observed that in a number of matters pending before CDR cell, promoters and respondents were not personally attending conciliation proceedings, hampering effective resolution of disputes. The authority said physical presence of both parties is crucial for meaningful conciliation, as the process is based on dialogue and mutual understanding. “Conciliation, by its very nature, is a process of dialogue and give-and-take, where the parties themselves are best placed to appreciate the practical difficulties and concerns of the other side,” the order stated.ORERA noted that settlements arrived at through CDR cell often involve financial commitments, timelines for possession or refunds, and other decisions that can be taken only by the complainant or the promoter. The authority said presence of the parties enables decisions to be made on the spot, allows queries to be addressed directly and reduces delays caused by repeated adjournments.“To ensure smooth, meaningful and expeditious disposal of disputes, all parties are hereby requested to ensure their physical presence at every conciliation hearing before the CDR cell,” the order said, adding that such participation would facilitate timely decision-making and conclusion of proceedings without unnecessary adjournments.Notably, CDR cell was introduced by ORERA as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism to facilitate amicable settlements between homebuyers and promoters, reducing need for prolonged litigation. The forum is designed to enable faster and less expensive resolution of disputes relating to possession, refunds and project-related commitments through mutual negotiation.However, ORERA’s latest order indicates that the effectiveness of the mechanism has been affected by frequent absence of complainants and promoters during hearings, leading to adjournments and delays in conciliation proceedings. The authority has now sought to strengthen the process by making physical presence of both parties at hearings mandatory.
