The Hindu 04.12.2013
Building tribunal to curb illegal constructions
In a significant decision to curb illegal constructions, the Cabinet approved the decision to set up Building Tribunal and amend the GHMC Act 1955.
At present owners of the illegal buildings were approaching court and securing stay orders scuttling the efforts of the municipal corporation authorities to demolish constructions in violation of norms. The amended Act would empower the authorities to demolish the buildings if satisfactory responses were not provided to the notices served on the violators.
The Cabinet which held a marathon meeting for over four hours reviewed the severe losses suffered by farmers due to series of natural calamities, - Phailin cyclone, floods and the recent Helen cyclone, also decided to convene a meeting with the bankers for rescheduling of crop loans. A special meeting would be organised soon to extend seed and other subsidies to the farmers.
It also approved the guidelines formulated by the officials’ committee to allow transfer of ownership rights over the lands allotted to the IT companies in a transparent manner. The committee was formed following complaints that some IT companies failed to deliver required number of jobs and other assurances after availing the land allotted by the Government. The Cabinet also accorded sanction of 14,115 new posts in 14 departments
The Cabinet approved the proposal to seek Rs.1,500 crore Hudco loan for weaker section housing programme and decided to give guarantee against Rs.1,000 crore Hudco loan for transfer of Godavari water to Hyderabad under the Pranahita-Chevella scheme and also for Rs.320 crore loan to be raised by the APSRTC from commercial banks.
The Cabinet ratified Rs.4,300 crore Chittoor drinking water scheme, sanction of 13.65 lakh houses to applicants during Rachabanda programme and approved sanction of Centre of Excellence to be set up under the animation, gaming, media entertainment policy 2014-19.
The amended Act will empower authorities to demolish buildings if violators fail to give responses to the notices served.
