India, Sept. 10 -- Thousands of residents living in buildings without an Occupancy Certificate (OC) could now get relief, with the BMC bringing out a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for an amnesty scheme for buildings occupied before November 17, 2016. The scheme will come into effect from the date of publication of the circular.

The scheme allows eligible residential buildings, hospitals and schools to seek an OC in cases where, despite the building having received the requisite approvals, the OC was not granted on account of procedural issues, non-compliance by the original developer or other pending requirements. However, the amnesty does not provide a blanket regularisation of illegal construction.

Which buildings qualify?

The s...