Bengaluru, Dec 2 (NationPress) The Bangalore Apartments' Federation (BAF), which advocates for over 1,400 apartment and villa Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), has urged the Congress-led Karnataka government to present and implement the vital Karnataka Apartment Ownership and Management Act (KAOMA) during the forthcoming Assembly session in Belagavi.

The Winter session of the Karnataka Assembly is slated to take place from December 8 to 19.

Representing the interests of more than 3.5 lakh households and nearly 15 lakh individuals, BAF emphasized the necessity for the state government to modernize the outdated Karnataka Apartment Ownership Act of 1972. This update is crucial to mitigate the administrative turmoil and legal disputes stemming from ambiguous management and ownership rights, as per the official statement.

BAF President Satish Mallya, in a press conference, stated, "Establishing a comprehensive legal framework for apartment owners has been BAF's foremost demand for years, a commitment both the Congress and BJP included in their electoral manifestos. With two-and-a-half years having elapsed since the Congress government assumed power, this is now an urgent legislative request rather than a mere suggestion. The ongoing delay, coupled with the existing legal void and lack of clarity, has adversely affected countless homeowners who are entitled to protection."

BAF General Secretary K. Arun Kumar drew attention to the inaction, noting, "Nearly two years have passed since Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also serves as the Bengaluru Development Minister, assured the state Assembly that the new law was in the works and would be introduced imminently. We demand that this essential legislation, which tackles critical issues like conveyance and redevelopment, be presented without delay in the upcoming Assembly session in Belagavi."

BAF Treasurer Kiran Hebbar concluded, "We are hopeful for the prompt enactment of this new Act, which will signify a pivotal moment for governance and provide substantial relief for residents throughout Karnataka."

According to the official statement, BAF's comprehensive proposal urges the state government to incorporate non-negotiable provisions for: Clear transfer of property rights and Undivided Share (UDS) from builders/promoters to owners; fortifying owners' associations with explicit formation rules, registration processes, and enforcement authority for bye-laws; creating a dedicated, transparent, and efficient conflict resolution mechanism, including provisions for 'Amalgamation' and 'Redevelopment' to effectively manage aging apartment complexes; and consolidating governance under one robust Act, the Karnataka Apartment Ownership and Management Act (KAOMA), rather than relying on fragmented, multiple laws.