Nagpur: Mumbai-based Fariyas Hotels Pvt Ltd has once again landed in soup for operating on its whims and fancies while dealing with its residential projects in Khamla. The company has once again flouted the norms and given possession of flats to the buyers without actually obtaining the necessary compliance and occupancy certificates from the relevant authorities. Taking a strong congnisance of this discrepancy, the Nagpur Improvement Trust has dashed a letter to the company for flouting the norms.
After a complaint by RTI activist TH Naidu, NIT West Division just sent a letter to Fariyas Hotels instead of taking action under Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. A copy of this letter is in possession of Nagpur Today.
Nagpur Today has on many occasions about the violation of norms by Fariyas Hotels. Media reports suggest that the company is yet to obtain compliance certificate from NMC’s fire and emergency services department, and the occupancy certificate from Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT).
Naidu had exposed various violations in the scheme, right from controversial amalgamation of plots regularized under Gunthewari Act. “Fariyas Hotels has given possession of many flats in the three wings — one G+10 floor, and the other two G+11 floors. Many people have even moved into the flats. It is a brazen violation of the MRTP Act to allow people to move in before obtaining fire compliance and occupancy certificates. Fariyas Hotels, NIT and fire department are putting people’s lives at risk,” he said.
In response to his complaint, NIT has requested Fariyas Hotels to apply for getting occupancy certificate. “Complaint regarding occupancy in the buildings A, B and C towers on plot no. 1A to 5A in Nagpur Beghar Gruh Nirman Sahakari Sanstha, khasra no. 82-95 is received with this office. During inspection, it is observed you have allowed some people to occupy the building without any occupancy certificate. It is strictly instructed to submit explanation regarding unauthorized occupancy in the building within seven days. Otherwise, action will be taken against you. Also, apply for occupancy certificate as early as possible,” NIT said in the letter.
Fariyas Hotels and Vrindavan Constructions has together developed the flat scheme. Dr Vaibhav Mahajan of Vrindavan Constructions said applications for fire compliance and occupancy certificate have been submitted with NIT. “We are executing sale deeds with flat purchasers. Then they are doing interior works, and might have also started residing in flats,” he said.
An NIT engineer from West Division told a newspaper that action will be taken against Fariyas Hotels if it continues to give possession of flats. “We also sent a letter to the building section at head office, to verify whether Fariyas Hotels has submitted a revised building plan. We will have to regularize whatever unauthorized construction is compoundable,” he said.
Naidu said NIT officials appear to be hand-in-glove with Fariyas Hotels, and ignoring violations. “It is the responsibility of NIT to check construction is as per sanctioned building plan, and ensure possession is not given before mandatory permissions. NIT officials are well aware of every violation at the scheme, but always turn a blind eye to them. NIT did not issue notice under MRTP Act or seal the premises even after my complaint. It is also contempt of a high court order,” he said.
Naidu claimed NIT cannot issue occupancy certificate to Fariyas Hotels since construction was not done as per sanctioned building plan. “After my earlier complaint, NIT inspected the flats scheme and issued notice under MRTP Act for unauthorized construction. It is now over three months, but no action has been taken against Fariyas,” he said.
