Mumbai: Almost three months after proposing to introduce an amnesty scheme to grant occupation certificates (OC) to buildings that have remained without the mandatory approval, despite being occupied for years, BMC will table it again at the civic standing committee meeting on Thursday.Civic officials said the scheme would apply to buildings constructed before November 17, 2016, including structures where deviations from approved plans or additional constructions had earlier made them ineligible for an OC.When first tabled in April, the proposal was not taken up for discussion by the BJP-led standing committee as they did not agree on the clause that housing units with a carpet area of up to 80 sq m will be covered. Former BJP MP Gopal Shetty, who had been following up on the policy with the state government, said, “This should be an ‘OC-for-all’ kind of a policy, and not be restricted to a particular area of non applicable to commercial properties as it makes it unfair and selective in nature.”The BMC said they have already sent a proposal to the state government requesting that there shouldn’t be any area restrictions based on corporators’ suggestions. “However till the state government comes back with its final decision, we are of the opinion that the current proposal be passed so at least some buildings may start getting the benefit of the scheme,” said an official.According to civic officials, in December 2025, the urban development department (UDD) directed the BMC to implement an OC Amnesty Scheme by extending the eligibility cut-off from March 25, 1991, to buildings occupied before November 17, 2016. However, following objections and suggestions from elected representatives and citizens, the BMC sought further amendments from the state government in April this year. The revised response is still awaited.In the interim, the BMC has proposed implementing the scheme as per the government’s December 2025 directions to provide immediate relief to eligible residents.Under the proposed guidelines, only buildings that have approved plans, valid intimation of disapproval (IOD) and commencement certificates (CC) will qualify. Residential buildings, hospitals, and schools occupied before November 17, 2016 will be eligible for the scheme. Additionally, housing units with a carpet area of up to 80 sq m will be covered.The proposal also allows cooperative housing societies, developers and, in certain cases, individual flat owners to apply for OCs through registered architects or licensed surveyors. Applicants will have to furnish proof of occupancy before the cut-off date through property tax records, electricity bills or other official documents.Officials clarified that the scheme would not legalise unauthorised constructions. It is intended only to grant OCs to portions of buildings that were approved but remained without an OC due to procedural or compliance issues.The BMC has stated that once revised directions are received from the state government, a fresh proposal incorporating additional relaxations, if any, will be brought before the civic body. Officials estimate that the scheme could benefit thousands of families across Mumbai who have been residing in legally approved buildings but continue to be denied occupancy certificates.
