Government will enact legislation to regulate realty sector, says law minister

Law Minister T B Jayachandra said on Monday that the government will enact a legislation to regulate the real estate sector and safeguard the interests of property buyers in the State.

He was speaking to the media after receiving petitions from more than 50 persons who have been cheated by realtors. In spite of several illegalities in the sector, Jayachandra said outdated laws prevent the government from bringing the culprits to book.

“It is well-known that real estate is a safe haven for black money. Scores of property buyers have been exploited. Many illegal new layouts are being formed even on government lands. I have decided to take stock of the situation.

We can’t uphold democracy as long as the real estate mafia is not held accountable,” he added.  He said that the department had decided to merge two existing Acts for a stronger legislation. This, however, had to be put on the back burner as the Centre is in the process of enacting the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill.

Anti-superstition bill
Jayachandra said that the anti-superstition bill will be finalised soon. The government, which has held consultations with heads of religious institutions, activists and writers, will be in a position to finalise the bill, once these opinions are furnished.

He said that he had sought the Forum of Progressive Mutt Seers, headed by Nidumamidi seer Veerabhadra Channammalla Swamy to submit their proposal for the enactment of the legislation, in a proper format.

“I have asked them to clearly distinguish between ‘beliefs’ and ‘superstitious beliefs.’ The legislation should not be against any religion. The seer will be submitting the recommendations in five to six days, following which a committee will be set up to look into it,” he said.

He also said that the government was in favour of banning astrology programmes on television channels, where several people were being “exploited.” However, many television channels had appealed against such a move, as these programmes were the highest revenue generators.