Delhi government lifts ban on illegal construction registration

NEW DELHI: Delhi government has lifted the ban on registration of properties that have been booked for unauthorized construction by the municipal corporations. The revenue department had imposed the ban through an order dated April 26, 2011. However, the government stated that illegal construction will remain actionable by the authorized agency. Also, the sub-registrars at the time of documentation of the registry will note the details of booked properties from municipal bodies.

The fresh orders issued by divisional commissioner Ashwani Kumar, with the approval of LG Najeeb Jung, make it clear that "municipal corporations will continue to take necessary action under the building bylaws and structural safety norms against unauthorized construction and unsafe buildings." The order also points out that it shall be the duty of the sub-registrar to mention the details of the fact that the building is unsafe or has unauthorized construction at the time of registration.

Elaborating on the order, the divisional commissioner told TOI that by opening registration of these buildings the government will be able to crack down on possibilities of illegal transactions of booked properties. Also, this is seen as a way to build pressure on civic agencies to take action in cases where nothing has been done even though properties have been booked for unauthorized constructions.

The department also sees this as a route to protect buyers from being duped by builders who may illegally try to sell booked properties without getting them registered. Under the new order, the buyer will know the clear status of the property being purchased during the registration process.