Tamil Nadu   

Buyers of unauthorised structures cannot move consumer court

COIMBATORE: In a step that seeks to discourage people from buying houses or other buildings unauthorisedly constructed without plan approval by local bodies, the Coimbatore District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum is rejecting petitions seeking compensation for deficiency in service on the part of builders of such structures.

The buyer will not be able to get any compensation from the builder/seller for deficiency in service.

Already, the government has ordered a halt to registering sites on unapproved layouts and there are curbs in providing electricity connections.

Now, the consumer forum (commonly known as consumer court) has added a new dimension to the efforts to curb the menace of unauthorised constructions.

Forum President S.A. Sree Ramulu says the building plan forms the basis for accepting or rejecting the petition. “If the petitioner says there is no approved plan for the building, we do not entertain the petition. The forum cannot take up the case of anything illegal or unauthorised. A building without an approved plan is unauthorised.”

Mr. Sree Ramulu says if the forum accepts such a petition and hears it, this will only amount to legitimising an unauthorised activity. “If there is damage to an illegal consignment of arms, can anyone sue the transport company for compensation?”

Welcoming the forum’s decision, Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra says people can check with the civic body on building rules so that they do not end up in trouble. If builders do not provide them with all the required information, they can approach the Town Planning wing of the Corporation, he says.

Coimbatore Consumer Cause secretary K. Kathirmathiyon says: “Though the consumers may be upset over this, the forum’s decision is a welcome step. It will open the consumers’ eyes to the risks involved in investing in unauthorised constructions”.

Mr. Mishra says consumer organisations can create more awareness among the public on this issue.

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