Update: Former Maharashtra chief secretary and journalist Manoj Saunik assumes charge as chairman MahaRERA

By Bricksnwall | 2024-09-23

Manoj Saunik succeeds Ajoy Mehta as chairman of MahaRERA. Mehta vacated the office of MahaRERA chairman on September 20; he took over in February 2021.

On September 20, Manoj Saunik, a former chief secretary (CS) of Maharashtra and a former journalist, took over as head of the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

Saunik is a 1987 batch Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer who retired as Chief Secretary of Maharashtra in December 2023 and was the senior advisor to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Saunik succeeds Ajoy Mehta as chairman of MahaRERA.

Mehta, a 1984-batch IAS official, joined MahaRERA in February 2021. On September 20, Mehta stepped down as MahaRERA's chairman.

According to the Real Estate Regulatory Act, a chairman's tenure is five years or until the chairman reaches the age of 65.

Before Mehta, former IAS officer Gautam Chatterjee of the 1982 batch served as the founding chairman of MahaRERA since its inception in May 2017.

MahaRERA is in place for homebuyers since 2017.

According to data posted on MahaRERA's website, over 47,000 projects have been registered and over 15,000 have been completed since the organization's start in May of 2017.

Along with this, MahaRERA has received over 26,000 complaints against real estate developments, with 17,000 orders issued in response to these complaints.

Ajoy Mehta's term resulted in several significant decisions and decrees, according to MahaRERA. This included several aspects such as project information disclosure, a standardised format for agreement and allotment letters, parking allotments to homebuyers, the establishment of a control room, a grievance redressal cell, and the establishment of various escrow accounts in the bank to ensure project completion on time.

In July 2024, MahaRERA made it essential for real estate developers to include the delivery date of facilities and the occupation certificate in the agreement for sale. The order became effective on July 30, 2024.

According to MahaRERA, amenities for which delivery timelines must be specified in the sale agreement include a swimming pool, tennis court, badminton court, theatres, clubhouse, gymnasium, table tennis area, squash court, giant chess area, garden, senior citizen zone, jogging track, juice bar and children's play area, among others.

Source: Hindustan Times