Maharashtra building plan based on carpet area only

MUMBAI: Making it tough for builders to flout norms while selling flats, Maharashtra Government would make compulsory submission of building plan to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation ( BMC), based on carpet area (wall-to-wall area of the flat) only.

Builders usually sell flats based on built-up area which include lift, balcony and staircase place.

"We are making it compulsory for builders to submit the building plan to BMC based on carpet area only. Also the registration would be done based on the carpet area," Minister of State for Housing, Sachin Ahir told PTI.

The concerned departments, Revenue and Urban Development, have been given instructions in this regards, the minister said.

According to the Maharashtra Ownership Flats (regulation of the promotion of construction, sale, management and transfer) Act (MOFA) 1963, it is compulsory for the builders to sell the flats on carpet area.

"However, the Government does not receive complaints about cheating and then it is difficult to take action against the builders," Ahir said.

Selling flats on the built-up only increases prices and makes houses unaffordable for common man. With the Government's initiatives the consumers would pay exact amount for the flats, he added.