The Hindu 02.03.2013
Middlemen hovering around despite ban
“Don’t approach them,” says Corporation Commissioner.
The e-planning scheme was introduced by the Madurai Corporation on January 1 to do away with middlemen. But two months after its launch, middlemen continue to make their presence felt. Corporation Commissioner R. Nanthagopal urged the public not to approach brokers for obtaining building plan approvals. He appealed to applicants to pay the prescribed fees through the treasury and not to engage touts.
He advised applicants to make a written complaint to the Corporation Commissioner or the Chief Town Planning office in case anyone demanded money in excess of the prescribed fee.
In a statement, he said that the very purpose of e-planning was to expedite the process of approving building plans and to eliminate the role of brokers. “But instances of middlemen trying to fleece the applicants have come to my notice,” he said.
The applicants should send their building plans in digital format to the Corporation official website. The plans could be uploaded for digital verification through registered surveyors.
After the plan is approved and the intimation is sent to the applicant through e-mail, the applicant should send five copies of the blue prints of the plan, photocopy of the land document and an affidavit in Rs. 20-stamp paper. The applicant should take a photograph of himself standing on the plot, with all the four corners of the plot clearly visible and attach it with the documents, along with two copies of his passport-size photograph.
In addition, he has to submit payment receipts for the application fee, building order fee, fee for removal of debris, fee towards labour welfare fund, development fee, underground drainage fee and postal fee of Rs. 100.
After verification of the documents, the approved building plan will reach the applicant by post, he added.