Complainants at Real Estate Regulatory Authority ( RERA ) are having tough times. The pendency of cases are piling up by day as the authority has not been able work with full strength since April 2023 when NC Goel remitted the office as chairman except two months – December 2023 and January 2024.
At present, the authority is being run by Veenu Gupta, who is serving as chairperson since December 2023. The posts of other two members are vacant. Veenu Gupta is a 1987-batch IAS officer who joined RERA as chairman immediately after retirement in December. She has the opportunity to serve for complete 5-year term.
“Over 1,000 complaints are pending. The office has been not been working in full steam since retirement of Shailendra Aggarwal and Salvinder Singh Sohata earlier this year. In absence of members, the cases are piling up,” said a senior official of RERA.
Shailendra Agrawal, a 1986-batch officer retire in January 2024 while Salvinder Singh Sahota, a 2003-batch IAS, promoted from state services retire in February this year leaving RERA to be a one-woman army.
The situation was even grimmer last month when Veenu Gupta too had gone for a long leave. The working in authority was at standstill.
One member selected, not relieved to join RERA
Sudhir Kumar Sharma, a 2006-batch IAS officer, promoted from state accounts services, have been recommended for the post of member. He is currently serving as secretary general administration, cabinet, estate, motor garage and chief of protocol. He is due to retire in November this year. Just like Veenu Gupta, who got selected for chairperson in September but joined in the month of her retirement, Sudhir Kumar Sharma may also delay his joining. The selection of other member in RERA is still pending.
“Four names were short listed against two posts. But the selection panel led by the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, with members including the Principal Secretary UDH and Secretary Law recommended only Sudhir Kumar Sharma's name. Exercise for selecting the other member will again resume,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the work at RERA is bound to suffer. Due to awareness and most of the projects getting registered with RERA, a large number of complaints is being registered. But due to vacant posts of members, disposal is not at the same speed.
“So far 2,528 cases have been disposed and more than 1,000 cases are still lying unsettled. If members don't get onboard, the authority and complainants are bound to suffer,” said another official.
Prakash Bhandari is a veteran journalist with over 50 years of experience. He has worked with The Times of India for 30 years and contributed to leading publications as well as international news agency AFP.
