Ranchi, Nov. 11: Builders and promoters in Ranchi are taking flat owners for a ride by not providing them with the “occupancy certificate” at the time of handing over possession of flats. The law makes it mandatory for the owner to obtain the certificate before taking over possession of a flat.

Builders of Ranchi are violating the rules laid down by Ranchi Regional Development Authority (RRDA) by allowing people to stay in the flats without obtaining a occupancy certificate from RRDA.

The certificates are issued by RRDA after checking that proper measures have been taken to prevent fire, a separate transformer for electricity connection has been provided, and arrangements for water, drainage, lift, sewage tank, car parking and adequate sunlight have been provided to flats. Most consumers do not even know that occupancy certificates are essential before taking possession of a flat. Builders get plans approved and sanctioned by the department and begin construction, said official sources. “Officers never visit the site to check the quality of construction. They are not aware about the rules and regulations laid down by RRDA. How are they going to check the quality of construction as laid down by the rules?” asked an RRDA official. Officers merely check the original deed, mutation and rent receipts of the land on which construction is going to take place, he added.“The RRDA does not have sufficient civil engineers to check all the flats. ,” said another official.

The engineer should see that there is sufficient amount of water available for the consumers. There should be a proper water tank on the ground floor so that a fire tender can use it in case of a fire. The flat should have its own electricity transformer, the official added. A sewage tank should have a soak-pit so that sewage does not flow into a drain, said sources.

A builder said, “No one has asked us for an occupancy certificate so we do not bother. We give possession of the flat as soon as we get full payment.”

Lawyer N.C. Garg, said: “If RRDA officials check the flats before issuing occupancy certificates, most of the consumers’ problems will be solved. If it is not checked in the initial stage, a day will come when the state consumer court will be full of flat-owners’ cases.”