Real Estate Regulation Bill likely in Budget session

The government is likely to come up with a Bill in the forthcoming Budget session of the Parliament to regulate the real estate sector, Housing Minister Ajay Maken said. The Minister said the Real Estate Regulation Bill aims to establish a regulatory authority for enforcing fair practice and accountability norms and fast track dispute resolution mechanism in real estate transactions.

"Inter-ministerial consultation are still on. Cabinet clearance will be sought once inter-ministerial consultation is over," Maken told reporters here. Asked whether the Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Bill would come in the upcoming Budget session, he said, "Let's hope. It is required." The draft legislation, pending since 2009, aims to establish a regulatory authority for the realty sector, ensure sale of immovable properties in an efficient and transparent manner and protect consumer interest. The most important proposal in the draft Bill include setting up a regulatory authority in every state. Asked about the raising external commercial borrowing (ECB) limit for affordable housing, the Minister said, "We are in talks with the Finance Ministry."

At present, RBI has allowed raising USD 1 billion under the ECB route for the affordable housing, he said. "ECB for USD 1 billion is there for affordable housing. It has just started. I think it is just a beginning," he said. On the Budget wish-list, Maken said, the Ministry is preparing recommendations . "We wish that fiscal incentive should be there for affordable housing for the poor and LIG (low income group)," he added.