Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, has directed all Real Estate Regulatory Authorities (RERAs) across India to submit detailed reports on project extensions granted to developers and the actions taken in cases where projects remain incomplete even after three extensions. The directive was issued during the Central Advisory Council (CAC) meeting held last month, reflecting the government’s focus on enforcing accountability and ensuring timely project completion under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA).
Minister’s Directive and Purpose
During the CAC meeting, the minister emphasized that project delays and repeated extensions undermine the core purpose of RERA — protecting homebuyers’ interests and ensuring timely delivery of projects. According to the minutes of the meeting, Manohar Lal instructed that each RERA Authority must furnish a comprehensive report listing:
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The total number of extensions granted to delayed projects.
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The specific actions taken when a project remains incomplete even after three extensions.
This move is aimed at curbing misuse of extension provisions and promoting stricter compliance with declared project timelines.
Discussion on Project Registration and Timelines
During the deliberations, Rohit Raj Modi, Vice President of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India (CREDAI), suggested that project registration and termination under RERA should not be directly linked, to avoid penalizing developers facing genuine delays.
Responding to this, Arun Kumar, Chairperson of Haryana RERA (Gurugram), clarified that every promoter declares a project completion timeline at the time of registration. If the promoter fails to deliver within this period, delayed possession charges are imposed as per RERA regulations.
Aligning Project Timelines and Communication
Kuldip Narayan, Joint Secretary (Housing and Housing for All), noted that timeline-related disputes often arise due to inconsistencies in the project schedule declared to RERA, the timelines mentioned in marketing brochures, and the payment-linked possession schedule. He suggested that aligning these three elements will eliminate ambiguity. Following this, the minister directed that steps be taken to harmonize declared project timelines to ensure consistency and transparency for homebuyers.
Action Against Misleading Advertisements
The issue of misleading advertisements about housing projects was also discussed in the meeting. Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), stated that the ministry has already taken cognizance of the matter. He directed state governments and RERA authorities to take appropriate legal action and submit reports on the measures taken to curb such practices. He also confirmed that as of September 1, all States and Union Territories — except Nagaland — have established RERA authorities and notified their respective rules.
Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) and National RERA Database
To further enhance RERA’s effectiveness, the Council recommended formulating Standard Operating Processes (SoPs) for uniform functioning across states. These SoPs will focus on:
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Strengthening enforcement mechanisms and compliance monitoring.
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Ensuring the timely completion of stalled projects.
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Facilitating faster registration and resolution of complaints.
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Promoting uniform definitions and consistent implementation of RERA provisions nationwide.
The Council also recommended creating a nationwide database of registered projects through an integrated online portal. This database will empower homebuyers by providing them with real-time information, helping them make informed investment decisions.
RERA’s Nationwide Progress
The meeting also highlighted RERA’s achievements since its implementation. As of now, over 1.51 lakh projects and 1.06 lakh real estate agents have been registered under RERA, while more than 1.47 lakh complaints have been successfully disposed of by the authorities across the country.
Conclusion
The Central Advisory Council’s recent meeting marks a significant step toward enhancing RERA’s accountability and efficiency. By demanding detailed reports from state RERAs and recommending standardized procedures, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs aims to strengthen consumer protection, ensure timely completion of projects, and maintain the credibility of India’s real estate sector.
