The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Standing Committee has approved a long-awaited Occupation Certificate (OC) Amnesty Scheme aimed at providing relief to thousands of families residing in buildings that have remained without occupation certificates despite being occupied for several years. The decision is expected to benefit eligible residential buildings, hospitals and schools occupied before November 17, 2016, while addressing long-pending procedural issues related to occupation certificates.
The proposal, which was first introduced in April 2026, had earlier been deferred after committee members raised concerns regarding certain eligibility conditions. On June 25, the Standing Committee sought revisions to the draft, requesting greater clarity on accountability for developers and architects, along with the inclusion of suggestions made by corporators. After incorporating these recommendations, the committee approved the scheme on Wednesday.
Relief for Residents
The scheme is primarily intended to assist residents who have faced difficulties due to the absence of occupation certificates. Without an OC, homeowners often encounter challenges in property transactions, redevelopment projects, utility connections, financial documentation and obtaining various civic approvals.
BJP Leader of the House Ganesh Khankar stated that many homebuyers have suffered for years because of delays or negligence on the part of certain developers and architects. According to him, the absence of OCs has created legal and administrative hurdles for thousands of ordinary Mumbaikars while several buildings have continued to deteriorate over time.
Standing Committee Chairman Prabhakar Shinde said the revised proposal had already been forwarded to the Maharashtra government after incorporating suggestions from elected representatives. While acknowledging that some recommendations are still awaiting government approval, he emphasized that citizens should not be deprived of immediate relief.
Eligibility Criteria
Under the approved amnesty scheme, only buildings that meet specific conditions will qualify. Eligible properties must have:
- Approved building plans
- Valid Intimation of Disapproval (IOD)
- Commencement Certificate (CC)
- Occupancy before November 17, 2016
The scheme applies to residential buildings, hospitals and educational institutions that satisfy these requirements.
For residential properties, the benefit is restricted to flats with a carpet area of up to 80 square metres (approximately 860 sq. ft.).
Applicants will be required to submit documentary proof establishing occupancy before the cut-off date. Acceptable documents include property tax records, electricity bills and other official records.
Application Process
The scheme allows cooperative housing societies, developers and, in certain situations, individual flat owners to apply for occupation certificates. Applications must be submitted through registered architects or licensed surveyors.
Importantly, the amnesty scheme does not legalise unauthorised construction. Instead, it enables authorities to issue occupation certificates only for those portions of buildings that were constructed according to approved plans but remained without OCs due to procedural delays or compliance-related issues.
No Relaxation for Safety Norms
Addressing concerns regarding safety, corporator Makarand Narwekar clarified that the amnesty scheme does not override the Development Control Regulations (DCR) or the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act. Buildings violating fire safety norms or unauthorised structures will not automatically receive occupation certificates merely because of the scheme.
The Maharashtra Urban Development Department had directed the BMC in December 2025 to implement the revised OC Amnesty Scheme by extending the eligibility cut-off from the earlier March 25, 1991 deadline to buildings occupied before November 17, 2016.
With the Standing Committee’s approval, the scheme is expected to provide long-awaited relief to thousands of eligible residents while creating a structured pathway for regularising occupation certificates in approved buildings affected by administrative and procedural delays.
