Mumbai: While nearly 19,000 buildings in Mumbai are estimated to be functioning without Occupation Certificates (OCs), fewer than 10 applications have been received under BMC’s revised OC Amnesty Scheme.PEATA-India will hold a public seminar on Nov 3, from 5 pm, at Yogi Sabhagraha, Dadar (East), to explain the provision and application process.BMC issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) on Sept 8, offering substantial concessions to eligible buildings occupied before Nov 17, 2016. The civic body’s own estimate of OC-less buildings is around 4,500, against the higher industry estimate.The scheme is not a blanket amnesty for unauthorised buildings or illegal floors. It covers eligible structures with prescribed development permissions, including an Intimation of Disapproval and Commencement Certificate, subject to scrutiny.Industry representatives attribute the poor response to lack of awareness, procedural hurdles and high regularisation costs. Purchasing additional floor space index (FSI) to regularise eligible deviations, such as enclosed balconies, can cost flat owners Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh in some localities.
