The Karnataka government on Thursday (23.08.2024) appointed retired IAS officer Rakesh Singh (Retd.IAS:1989:KN) to the post of Chairperson of the Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA), which fell vacant in May this year after completion of term of incumbent Chairperson Kishore Chandra HC (Retd.IPS:1984:KN).
Singh, who also retired at the end of May after a long tenure as Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department, will hold the post for five years from the date he assumes charge, or until he reaches the age of sixty-five, or until further orders are issued.
Singh’s appointment order came just a day after Karnataka High Court passed an interim order, restraining Naveen Raj Singh (IAS:1998:KN), Principal Secretary, Housing Department from officiating as acting chairman of the K-RERA. Justice R Nataraj said that there is no provision in the Karnataka Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rule, 2017, for a third party or state government officer to be nominated as an in-charge chairperson to fill such a vacancy.
The judge further ruled that the senior-most member of K-RERA should continue to act as in charge of K-RERA until the vacancy is filled by a formal appointment made in accordance with the rules.
