Recognising the unique needs of Maharashtra, especially that of Mumbai, the centre has approved formation of a regulatory body to safeguard interests of home buyers.

The regulatory authority for the real estate will be a quasi-judicial body and resolve the disputes related to the housing sector.  It will have a chairman with powers to punish or fine culprits like builders or developers. The authority will also hold hearings like courts.

The centre gave a go ahead to the state to frame rules to implement the state housing regulatory bill passed by the legislature and approved by the president. The Maharashtra Housing (Regulation and development) 2012 was passed two years ago and the presidential assent came last year.

The centre’s similar legislation in parliament is yet to be okayed by the Rajya Sabha and hence the Maharashtra government was to hold back implementation of its own law. But now the state has got a go ahead under its own regulatory authority law.

"The process of framing of rules is in progress and the delay was because the Centre had framed a similar law "Real Estate" (Regulation and Development Bill) and wanted the state to adopt it. However, the Central government's bill is pending in the Rajya Sabha. We explained to the Centre that Mumbai's housing needs are different from the rest of the country. There was urgent need for a housing regulator and that our provisions were better than the proposed central law. Our submission has been accepted and we will have our own housing regulator," Shrikant Singh, Principal Secretary Housing department said.

"We have got official nod from the Centre to set up our own regulatory authority for the state. We are in the process of forming rules and regulations after which the authority will come into existence," Singh said.

Singh said consultations are on with law and judiciary and finance departments for framing rules regarding setting up of the regulator.