Amended Rent Act not likely soon

MUMBAI, APRIL 21: Notwithstanding specific assurances by Chief Minister Narayan Rane, Housing Minister Sureshdada Jain and his deputy Raj...

MUMBAI, APRIL 21: Notwithstanding specific assurances by Chief Minister Narayan Rane, Housing Minister Sureshdada Jain and his deputy Raj Purohit, the alliance government is not likely to bring in legislation to amend the Bombay Rent Control Act during the on-going budget session of the state legislature.

“Since the session is concluding on April 23, we may not be able to bring in the proposed legislation. However, the report of the Joint Select Committee on the proposed rent act will be tabled in the Upper House tomorrow,” Minister of state for Housing Raj Purohit told media persons.

Purohit said a bill for the protection of the tenants was introduced in the council on July 27, 1993 during the tenure of Chhagan Bhujbal. Subsequently, the bill was referred to the Joint Select Committee for wider debate, particularly among tenants and property owners.

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“The last meeting of the committee was held on April 20, wherein the draft report was finalised. It will be tabled tomorrow. We will ensure that a comprehensive bill, which aims at protecting the interests of tenants will be passed during the monsoon session of the state legislature,” Purohit said.

Even if the bill is delayed, there will be no loss for the tenants since the tenure of the existing rent act has already been enhanced by one year, he added.

Replying to a question, Purohit said his government is keenly awaiting the outcome of the petition filed by the Property Owners’ Association before the Supreme Court. “In the event, the outcome of the petition is adverse for the tenants, we will not hesitate to convene a special meeting of the legislature to get the new rent act passed,” he added.

The state government has already asked the Centre to immediately scrap the Model Rent Control Act, which provides for 22 times increase in the standard rent. “Union Urban Development Minister Ram Jethmalani has already agreed to our proposal,” he added.