Kolkata, Sept. 9 -- The Calcutta High Court has sought the West Bengal government's instructions on allegations that prolonged vacancies in key posts at the state's real estate regulatory and appellate bodies are hampering dispute resolution.
A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Atarup Banerjee, on September 3, directed state counsel Susmita Saha Dutta to obtain necessary instructions. The matter will be heard again on September 15.
The PIL, filed by advocate Rahul Parasrampuria, concerns vacancies in the posts of Judicial Member of the West Bengal Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (WBREAT) and Member of the West Bengal Real Estate Regulatory Authority (WBRERA).
Applications for the posts were invited by the Housing Department on February 13, but the petitioner alleged that the selection process has not culminated in appointments and that its status has not been adequately disclosed.
The PIL contends that the vacancies have affected the functioning of the specialised forums, delaying cases involving homebuyers, promoters, allottees and other stakeholders.
It also alleges that litigants have been forced to approach the High Court in matters that could otherwise be handled by the statutory bodies.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.