PANJIM: The Director of Municipal Administration (DMA) has stayed the restored part occupancy issued to controversial building — Prabhu Chambers by the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC).
In September 2019, the MMC had revoked part occupancy issued to Prabhu Chambers building at Angod-Mapusa pointing out several discrepancies. As many as 43 unit holders had approached the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and sought relief by an order dated November 30, 2022. The RERA had also transferred the matter to the Principal District Court for execution of the order.
During execution hearing, the District Court directed the Mapusa Municipal Council to inspect the site on September 1, 2023 and submit the compliance report. The Mapusa municipality team led by chief officer inspected the site and submitted his report to the Court on September 6, mentioning that certain deficiencies were not yet complied by M/s Prabhu Constructions, more specifically grills for the windows of the said premises were not provided, lifts were not functional. Also there was no permanent power supply and pumps were being used to drain out the water instead of rectifying the faults.
But the next day, the chief officer restored the part occupancy without compliance of the discrepancies contradicting his own report submitted to the District Court. While restoring the revoked part occupancy, the chief officer in his order stated that the occupancy was being granted in terms of direction issued by the High Court of Bombay at Goa, vide order dated August 30, 2023. But the Decree Holders claimed that the High Court had directed to seek occupancy in accordance with law and on its own merits and that it had not issued any positive directions for either issue or rejection of occupancy certificate.
It is learnt that the chief officer was on deputation in the absence of a regular officer and restored part occupancy on the last day in the office.
