Cabinet defers decision on notifying?rules to Real Estate Act

Bengaluru, May 31: The state Cabinet on Tuesday deferred taking a decision on notifying the final rules for the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2017.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Law Minister T?B?Jayachandra said discussions on notifying rules to the Act, which aim at protecting consumers' interests and enhancing transparency in the real estate sector, remained inconclusive. “We will take a decision on the issue at the next Cabinet meeting,” he said.

Asked whether there was a demand from a section of ministers that rules should not be applicable for on-going projects, Jayachandra replied in the negative. As per the draft rules, all developers will have to register under-construction projects with the regulatory authority within three months of the implementation of the Act.

Housing Minister M?Krishnappa has been on record stating that the final rules will be notified by May 31. Jayachandra also evaded a direct reply to a query whether the state government was considering bringing changes in the model RERA rules recommended by the state. Sources said the state government will seek legal opinion whether the Act will be applicable to projects taken up by Bangalore Development Authority and Karnataka Housing Board.

The Cabinet also cleared a proposal for setting up Ayush units in all taluk hospitals in the state, Jayachandra said.

The Cabinet gave its approval for the chief minister's “Anila Bhagya Scheme'' of providing free gas connections and stove to five lakh poor families, which have not qualified under the Centre's Ujjwala scheme, the minister added.

The Cabinet gave its approval for developing 10,000 hectares of good quality cashew orchards over the next five years at a cost of Rs 10 crore.

Other Cabinet decisions

*Approval for construction of 25 new polytechnics at a cost of Rs 200 crore.

*Approval for construction of 23 women's hostels attached to the polytechnics at a cost of Rs 46 crore.

*Rs 300 crore to be released for development of 1,000 'model' village under CM's Gram Vikas scheme.

*Approval of Rs 25 crore for silver jubilee celebrations of Kannada University, Hampi, including construction of an auditorium.

*Entry tax concession for National Thermal Power Corporation for executing its 4,000 MW?Super Thermal Plant at Kudagi in Vijayapura district.

*Approval of Rs 54.51 crore as state's share for computerisation of 5,292 primary agricultural cooperative credit society under Nabard scheme.

*Additional incentive of Rs 17 per quintal of sales for fair price shop owners who install point of sale machines.¬