SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired a review meeting on the functioning of the Jammu and Kashmir Real Estate Regulatory Authority (JKRERA), where it was revealed that the Authority had imposed a Rs 10 lakh penalty on a promoter for failing to register a property under the applicable regulations.
The Chief Secretary emphasised the need to strengthen institutional mechanisms to safeguard public interest and ensure regulatory compliance in the real estate sector. During a detailed presentation by JKRERA Chairman Satish Chandra, Dulloo underlined the importance of transparency, accountability, and consumer protection, and directed the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD) and allied agencies to support JKRERA in fulfilling its mandate.
He instructed the departments to resolve coordination issues, accelerate infrastructure setup, and ensure that no real estate project operates outside the legal framework.
It was informed that the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, was extended to Jammu and Kashmir on October 30, 2019, and JKRERA was formally constituted on July 22, 2020. The Jammu and Kashmir Special Tribunal has been designated as the Appellate Tribunal under the Act.
JKRERA holds jurisdiction over all commercial and residential projects in the UT, except those below 500 square metres, with fewer than eight apartments, completed before the Act’s enforcement, or renovation works not involving sale or marketing.
Project and agent registrations are mandatory, with applications accepted online and offline. Document verification and status tracking are in place to ensure compliance. Several projects and agents have already been registered, contributing to improved regulation and consumer confidence.
In terms of enforcement, the Authority has taken action against violators, including financial penalties for non-compliance. A ₹10 lakh penalty was levied on a promoter for failing to register a property, in line with the provisions of the law.
The meeting also discussed operational issues such as inadequate infrastructure, layout approvals in rural areas, and lack of inter-departmental coordination. It was stressed that Municipal Committees, Development Authorities, and Revenue Departments must work jointly to identify and prevent unauthorised colonies.
Recommendations included implementing a single-window clearance system, mandatory verification of RERA registration before property transactions, enhanced cooperation with local and revenue bodies, and streamlined approval mechanisms for ongoing and legacy projects.
