CPI presses for select committee scrutiny of Real Estate Bill

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja on Tuesday called on the NDA Government to send the Real Estate Regulatory Authority Bill to a select committee for better scrutiny.

"As far as Left parties are concerned, we are saying that it is better to send the bill to the select committee. It involves the interest of millions of ordinary people. Therefore, the bill should be scrutinized thoroughly," said Raja.

"Law must be in the favor of the ordinary people. We are telling the government not to be in a hurry, but refer the bill to go through a thorough probe in the select committee," he added.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati said her party would be keeping the opposition view in mind before taking a final stand.

"We want to see the opinion of the opposition, and only after that, will we take a stand on the matter," she said.

The NDA Government, which does not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha, was earlier last week forced to defer the tabling of the Bill after the opposition insisted on it being referred to a Select Committee of Parliament.

The Rajya Sabha is likely to see a heated debate over the Real Estate Regulatory Authority Bill, as the Congress has said that it is anti-home buyer and pro builder.

On the other hand, the government has been insisting that the bill is aimed to regulate and promote real estate sector and protect the interest of consumers.

The government's argument is that the standing committee had representation from all political parties, and that it went ahead with amendments after "exhaustive consultations" with all stakeholders.

Last week, Rahul Gandhi met organisations representing home-buyers to discuss concerns about a new real estate bill proposed by the government. He has called the bill anti-consumers as it allegedly

dilutes penalties for late delivery of homes. The bill allegedly does not safeguard against money being diverted from one project to another.

The Bill is crucial as it would help the ruling BJP fulfil its election promise of 'Housing for All' by 2022.