MahaRERA Recovery Lags: Just 33% of 792 Crore Dues Collected in Maharashtra

Pune: The execution of recovery warrants issued by the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) continues to be slow across the state, with just 33% of the total amount due to homebuyers recovered so far. Official data as of last week shows that against Rs 791.55 crore to be recovered in 1,287 complaints, authorities have managed to recover only Rs 262.68 crore (around 33%).

District-level data available with MahaRERA reveals that Mumbai suburban leads with Rs 351.75 crore due, but only Rs 109.71 crore has been collected. The district has recorded 479 complaints. Mumbai city is in the second spot, with Rs 53.11 crore recovered against Rs 104.14 crore from 47 complaints.

Pune, another major real estate hub, has seen the recovery of just Rs 46.99 crore against Rs 195.91 crore due from 274 complaints. Thane has managed to recover Rs 23.33 crore from Rs 74.63 crore due and 237 complaints, while Raigad has recovered Rs 9.51 crore against dues of Rs 24.85 crore stemming from 119 complaints.

Several homebuyers awaiting the execution of recovery warrants have expressed their frustration, stating that the process has been painfully slow, denying them timely relief. A Pune-based allottee, whose recovery warrant was issued nearly a year ago, said, 'Our money is stuck and the collector's office refuses to act quickly.' Another homebuyer, Rohit Wade, said not a single rupee was recovered despite multiple favourable orders. 'As per the original agreement, the interest payable by the developer for delayed possession works out to about Rs 72 lakh. Even under MahaRERA's final order, around Rs 26 lakh in interest was fixed, but remains unpaid.'

The interest due till date, calculated as per the order, stands at about Rs 45.67 lakh, Wade said, bemoaning the lack of resolution. District collectors are tasked with executing the recovery warrants issued by MahaRERA under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code. However, officials admit the process often gets delayed due to administrative workload, legal challenges, and difficulties in attaching properties or bank accounts.

Housing activists say the numbers point to a systemic failure in enforcement. 'Recovering only around 33% of the ordered amount even years after warrants are issued shows the mechanism is weak. For homebuyers, a favourable order means little unless the money actually comes back,' said Pune-based activist S Joshi.

The issue was also raised during the monsoon session of the state assembly, where revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule assured the House that MahaRERA recovery warrants would be executed at the earliest. However, the pace of recovery belies that assurance.