MUMBAI: Nearly three months after proposing an amnesty scheme aimed at issuing occupation certificates (OCs) for buildings lacking mandatory approvals—even if they have been occupied for years—the BMC is set to revisit this proposal at the civic standing committee meeting on Thursday.
Civic officials indicate that the scheme will target buildings constructed before November 17, 2016, including those that had previously been ineligible for OCs due to deviations from approved plans or additional constructions.
When first presented in April, the BJP-led standing committee chose not to discuss the proposal, mainly due to disagreements over a clause that includes housing units with a carpet area of up to 80 sq m. Former BJP MP Gopal Shetty, who monitored the policy’s progress with the state government, remarked, “This should be an ‘OC-for-all’ policy, not limited to a specific area or excluding commercial properties, as that seems unfair and selective.”
The BMC has communicated to the state government that there should be no area restrictions based on suggestions from corporators. “Until we receive a final decision from the state government, we believe the current proposal should be approved to provide some buildings with immediate benefits,” states an official.
In December 2025, the urban development department (UDD) instructed the BMC to implement the OC Amnesty Scheme, extending eligibility from March 25, 1991, to buildings occupied before November 17, 2016. Following input from elected officials and the public, the BMC requested further revisions from the state government in April. The revised feedback is still pending.
In the meantime, the BMC has proposed moving forward with the scheme based on the government’s December 2025 directives, aiming to offer prompt relief to qualified residents.
According to the proposed guidelines, only buildings with approved plans, valid intimation of disapproval (IOD), and commencement certificates (CC) will qualify. The scheme will include residential buildings, hospitals, and schools occupied before November 17, 2016. Moreover, it will cover housing units with a carpet area of up to 80 sq m.
Additionally, cooperative housing societies, developers, and, under specific circumstances, individual flat owners will be able to apply for OCs via registered architects or licensed surveyors. Applicants will need to provide proof of occupancy before the cut-off date through property tax records, electricity bills, or other official documents.
Officials clarified that the scheme will not legalize unauthorized constructions. Its primary objective is to grant OCs to sections of buildings that were approved but lacked an OC due to procedural or compliance issues.
The BMC has indicated that once they receive updated instructions from the state government, a new proposal with any additional relaxations will be presented to the civic body. Officials estimate that this scheme could benefit thousands of families across Mumbai residing in legally approved buildings that currently do not have occupancy certificates.
