FPCE Challenges MahaRERA's Conciliation Forum Over Potential Bias

The Forum for People's Collective Efforts (FPCE) has raised concerns over Maharashtra real estate regulator MahaRERA's constitution of a conciliation forum to settle disputes between builders and customers. FPCE claims this is beyond MahaRERA's legal power and could lead to conflicts of interest. They have requested the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to investigate.

The Forum for People's Collective Efforts (FPCE) has questioned the legitimacy of Maharashtra real estate regulator MahaRERA's decision to form a conciliation forum for resolving disputes between builders and customers. FPCE argues that this move lacks legal backing and could result in conflicts of interest.

FPCE President Abhay Upadhyay has written to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, urging an investigation into the forum's constitution, operations, and rulings. He emphasized that the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act of 2016 only permits MahaRERA to make recommendations, not to form such a forum.

Upadhyay insisted that any conciliation forum should be independent, impartial, and formed in consultation with all stakeholders. The association suggested Lok Adalats as a potential alternative and urged the ministry to issue detailed guidelines for conciliation forums across states.