Pune: The Maharashtra state cooperation department has issued a circular stating that cooperative housing societies would no longer require a no objection certificate (NOC) from the registrar for undertaking redevelopment projects.This directive, issued on Nov 4 by state cooperation commissioner Deepak Taware, follows an Oct 17 Bombay High Court order which clarified that registrars lack the authority to approve, reject, or modify redevelopment decisions made by a housing society’s general body.“This circular has been issued in accordance with the court’s guidelines,” Taware told TOI. “It will bring greater transparency and help societies undertake redevelopment without unnecessary delays.” The circular is grounded in provisions of the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960, and the 2019 Government Resolution (GR) on redevelopment, neither of which mandate an NOC from the registrar. It explicitly reiterates that if any member alleges procedural or legal violations, they are to approach the Cooperative Court under Section 91 of the Act. The circular unequivocally states: “There is no provision under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960, or the 2019 Government Resolution that authorises the registrar to issue a no objection certificate for redevelopment. The registrar has no authority to approve or permit redevelopment.” Following the court’s direction, the cooperation department has instructed all its officers that registrars cannot review, modify, or veto decisions made by a society’s general body. Under the new guidelines, once a society submits a redevelopment proposal, the deputy registrar must appoint an authorised officer within 14 days to conduct a special general body meeting for the selection of the developer. This authorised officer’s role is strictly limited to that of an observer – ensuring quorum, proper voting procedures, and accurate recording of minutes – without the power to influence or alter the outcome. The circular also includes a stern warning: disciplinary action will be initiated if the registrar fails to appoint an authorised officer within the stipulated time, or refuses to do so. Societies are now required to submit, within 15 days of the special general body meeting, copies of the notice, agenda, consent letters from members, minutes of the meeting, and a video recording of the proceedings to the registrar’s office for official records. Should any member later object to the decisions taken by the general body, they are directed to approach the cooperative court directly. Advocate Shreeprasad Parab, expert director, Maharashtra State Housing Federation, hailed the move, stating it would “eliminate a major administrative hurdle that was often used to stall or delay redevelopment and self-redevelopment projects”. “This is a significant step towards strengthening the autonomy of cooperative housing societies and reducing bureaucratic interference. It will expedite hundreds of member-led redevelopment projects across the state,” he added.Several society members have welcomed the directive, alleging that previously, registrars would often demand payments, ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹50,000 per flat, for redevelopment permissions and even attempt to influence the choice of developer. A Pune society representative said, “The new circular curbs such practices and restores decision-making power to society members.”
