The Rajasthan High Court has issued important directives, mandating that the Urban Development Authority (UDA), Urban Development and Housing Department (UDH) and municipal corporations in the state guarantee that no developer can sell property without offering essential amenities.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice M.M. Srivastava and Justice Madan Gopal Vyas, passed this order while hearing public interest litigations filed by residents of Ansal Sushant City and Sushant Lok Residents Welfare Society in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The next hearing is scheduled for the last week of this month.

The bench questioned the authority's decision to permit the sale of plots and houses without guaranteeing the availability of necessary facilities. For the next hearing, the court has requested the relevant original records to be produced and has instructed the authority to explain the process used to verify the adequacy of facilities.

The builder must meet all the requirements of building codes, said the order. This can only happen when the local authority confirms that the residential area constructed by the builder is suitable for living in every way, including having amenities such as water, electricity and drainage, the bench stated.

The High Court has also directed the UDH Secretary to conduct a thorough investigation of private developed colonies and issue a certificate only after ensuring that basic amenities are available. Only after this should the builder be allowed to sell houses, flats and plots.

The bench said that state and development authorities must ensure that builders do not deceive buyers. Authorities also need to make sure that development is done as per the proposed plan. Thousands of people should not end up having to live without water facilities.

The Secretary of the Urban Development and Housing Department (UDH) has been instructed to issue necessary guidelines to all development authorities and urban bodies across the state in this regard.

Source: Media Reports