BMC uses Adarsh row to regain occupancy certificate powers

Shiv Sena-BJP controlled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) wants the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to return the power of granting the Occupancy Certificate (OC) for newly constructed buildings.

"We want the MMRDA to return the authority of issuing OC to the BMC, as there are several departments and committees in the BMC which would ensure proper scrutiny," Standing Committee Chairperson Rahul Shewale told PTI.

The state government has appointed MMRDA, the special town planning authority for four notified areas - Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Oshiwara District Centre (ODC), Backbay Reclamation Scheme (BBRS) and Gorai-Manori areas.

In January 2009, MMRDA Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad wrote a letter to then Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak, asking for rights from Commencement Certificate (CC) to Occupation Certificate (OC).

"We would soon talk to MMRDA about this," Shewale said.

Corporators in the General Body meeting of the civic body yesterday indulged in a verbal duel over the controversial Adarsh housing society in Colaba.

Leader of the House, Sunil Prabhu said, "The Chief Minister grabs flats meant for widows and kin of Kargil war and gave it his own family members."

"Why blame the Congress government and its ministers for favouring their family members? Even the then Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, George Fernandes have also done the same," Congress corporator Sameer Desai said.

"Instead of blaming each other, the BMC must find out if it played a role in giving clearance to Adarsh society," corporator and MLA Ravindra Waikar, said.

"We will get the information in four-five days," Additional Municipal Commissioner Aseem Gupta said.