Oppn stonewalls real estate bill
Led by the Congress, Oppn parties claim the real estate bill goes against the interest of home buyers
The Opposition has all but stalled the controversial real estate bill, which provides for a regulatory panel, after unanimously demanded that the proposed legislation be sent to a select committee of Rajya Sabha, where the Opposition enjoys majority.
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill was introduced by the previous United Progressive Alliance in the upper chamber of Parliament in August 2013.
After the NDA came to power, it introduced the amendments, which the Opposition led by the Congress, has claimed goes against the interests of home-buyers. The government’s listing the bill for passage on Tuesday set off an uproar.
The Opposition said housing and poverty alleviation minister Venkaiah Naidu had assured the House that the bill would not be tabled without a round of interparty consultations.
Naresh Agrawal of Samajwadi Party and Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad strongly demanded that the bill be referred to a select committee, which was endorsed by the Trinamool party’s Derek O’Brien.
Making a similar demand, the CPI’s D Raja spelt out the Left parties stand. “It involves the interest of millions of ordinary people. Therefore, the bill should be scrutinised thoroughly”.” said Raja.
Naidu said he would not pursue the bill till the consultation process is complete.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi last week launched a campaign against the bill, meeting homebuyers and telling them the bill weakens the bargaining power of the middle-class home-buyers.
Congress leader Ajay Maken, in an analysis of the bill on his blog said the bill gives a leeway to builders who default on delivery of possession, among other issues.