Urban News

But the proposal to outsource technical operators for the The Automated Building Plan Approval System (ABPAS), has been deferred. Taxation and Finance committee chairman said there was a proposal to outsource personnel for operating the system but the committee had suggested that the current operators of the Palike could be deputed in the eight zones until they found suitable alternatives.

He said the system needed people with knowledge of AutoCAD to operate the software. He added that earlier they gave the contracts to agencies like Keonics but this time, he said they had decided to defer the subject. "We hope to find suitable alternatives", he said and added that "the commissioner has already asked for the system to be in place by the end of the month".

Speaking on the approval of betterment charges, he said this would be a good revenue generator for the Palike. Express had reported on September 19 that the court's order to stop issuing of Khatas in 2007 was causing a strain in the BBMP's financial well being.

Property tax, the main bread winner of the Palike, had not yielded as much as the Palike expected. With a view to crack the whip on all those who had not paid betterment charges but continued to enjoy the services provided by the BBMP.

Added to this, the newlyadded areas of the city had little or no planning until they were brought under the BBMP. Now with a view to regulate any violations, the Palike proposed to impose betterment charges for these areas as well. The BBMP Budget of 2010 announced that they could expect `120 crores from the same, once this is implemented.

Up to 1,200 sq ft = `150 per sq ft

1,2002,400 sq ft = `200 per sq ft

2,4006,000 sq ft = `300 per sq ft

Above 6,000 sq ft = `400 per sq ft