Gujarat RERA imposes fine on Om Shanti Estate

The RERA authority has asked a builder to provide Rs 15,000 as "cost" to a house buyer for poor construction and use of sub-standard material in an apartment scheme in Vatva. Suchitra Pal, 37, had bought a flat in the Om Shanti Gold Plus scheme in Vatva. While the furniture work was going on in the apartment, she found the plaster coming off and cracks developing in the tiles. On April 20, she filed a written compliant with the builder, but it was not entertained. Later, on May 18 she filed a complaint with the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act (RERA) authority with help of consumer rights activist Mukesh Parikh. When the case came up for hearing before RERA authority chairperson Manjula Subra maniam, the builder's lawyer sought time to present respondent's side without giving any sufficient reason. Hence, the authority asked the builder, Estate Private Limited, to provide the cost of Rs 15,000 to the complainant via a demand draft.