Himachal Pradesh Assembly Overrides Governor, Repasses RERA Amendment Bill Unchanged, Sparks Major Real Estate Governance Shift
In a significant political and real estate development, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly has repassed the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill without any modifications, despite objections raised by the governor. The bill was cleared again during the Winter session through a voice vote, highlighting the state government’s firm stance on restructuring the regulatory framework governing the real estate sector.
The amendment introduces a crucial structural change by making the Chief Secretary the chairperson of the selection committee responsible for appointing the chairman and members of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). Previously, this role was held by the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, ensuring judicial oversight in the appointment process.
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The governor had returned the bill earlier, recommending reconsideration and raising concerns over governance and the independence of the regulatory authority. However, the Assembly chose to pass the legislation again in its original form, effectively overriding the governor’s objections as permitted under constitutional provisions.
In addition to the RERA Amendment Bill, the Assembly also repassed the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Amendment Bill. This legislation aims to extend the tenure of mayors and deputy mayors from two-and-a- half years to five years, a move expected to bring continuity and stability to urban governance.
These legislative decisions are expected to have far-reaching implications for real estate regulation, urban governance, and administrative control in Himachal Pradesh. The move is likely to impact developer accountability, regulatory independence, and investor confidence, making it a critical development for homebuyers, real estate investors, and policy observers.
