The issue of builders not selling flats to people based on their food preferences or because of religion, caste, etc has always made headlines. It was brought up in BMC on Tuesday, after a demand by an MNS corporator about introducing a clause that says builders who discriminate won’t be granted permissions to construct buildings. The BMC, after discussing the issue twice, in its final reply, has said that this is not possible as it looks into technical issues of construction and cannot direct builders on whom to sell flats to.

The proposal was mooted by corporator Sandip Deshpande, who is also the group leader of MNS in the BMC. It seeks that builders, who discriminate on the basis of religion, food preferences, and caste, shouldn’t be given an Intimation of Disapproval, Commencement Certificate and even water connection.