An article about " Consumer Forum "

Consumer trying to burn himself as the Builder failed to allot the flat even after the completion

It was a high drama outside the office of the Civic Chief Office at the Municipal Corporation headquarters in Belapur, when a Koparkhairane Resident, Ramesh tried to immolate himself after pouring petrol on his body. He is alleging that he is a victim of a prominent Builder who had took his home for redevelopment and has failed to allot him a flat even after reconstruction is complete.

Soon, after he poured petrol on his body, Deputy Municipal Commissioner and NMMC Chief PRO rushed him to prevent him from taking the extreme step. Though he has saved, the incident has raised questions about the way the town planning department of NMMC works. A Builder from Vashi, Ashish Construction, took over the building for reconstruction and he had paid off eight Owners of flats. However, he decided he wanted a flat in exchange of his old apartment and an agreement was signed accordingly. The Builder also promised to pay Rs. 10,000 per month as rent till the building was completed and the flat in question handed over. After completing the paper work, he went to his Village. Then the Builder constructed a seven storey building in place of the old three storey structure.

After three years, when the building was ready and the Builder started giving possession to new Owners. But, according to him, he was not informed of these developments. When he got to know about them, he approached the Builder, who is alleged to have asked for a settlement. But, he was not ready for this and he approached CIDCO and reported the matter. CIDCO then stopped the process of giving the build Occupancy Certificate (OC) of the building. However, the Builder went ahead and gave the possession of the new flats Residents without the OC. Then the Builder approached the town planning department of NMMC.

About four months ago, the DMC of Town Planning Department of NMMC, served a notice to the Builder and asked him to comply with his promise, otherwise his building would be sealed. But even after four months, there was no concrete result. Then, he tried to put his matter before Civic Chief. But, his efforts were in vain. That was when he decided to take this extreme step.

After the incident, there was complete pandemonium with one positive fallout. The DMC had called the Town Planning Department DMC and had asked him to solve this issue as early as possible. Meanwhile the DMC also consoled the family who were weeping partially with relief that at last someone seemed to be listening to them.