The Hindu : Front Page : Unauthorised structures’ buyers can’t move court

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Sunday, Oct 25, 2009
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Unauthorised structures’ buyers can’t move court

K.V. Prasad

COIMBATORE: In a step that seeks to discourage people from buying houses or other buildings unauthorisedly constructed without plan approval by local bodies, the Coimbatore District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum is turning away petitions seeking compensation for deficiency in service on the part of builders of such structures.

In fact, the buyers of flats or houses constructed without an approved plan stand to lose, as the consumer forum will not even entertain the petition.

In which case, the buyer will not be able to get any compensation from the builder/seller for deficiency in service.

Already, the Government has ordered a halt to registering sites in unapproved layouts and there are curbs in providing electricity connections.

Now, the consumer forum (commonly known as consumer court) has added a new dimension to the efforts to curb the menace of unauthorised constructions.

Forum President S.A. Sree Ramulu says the building plan forms the basis for accepting or turning away the petition. “If the petitioner says there is no approved plan for the building, we do not entertain the petition. The forum cannot take up the case of anything illegal or unauthorised. A building without an approved plan is unauthorised.”

Mr. Sree Ramulu says if the forum accepts such a petition and hears it, this will only amount to legitimising an unauthorised activity. “If there is damage to an illegal consignment of arms, can anyone sue the transport company for compensation?”

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