The Hindu 20.11.2010
Few takers for GHMC's ‘Green Channel'
| With the GHMC receiving only 16 applications so far, it has decided to remove certain clauses following requests from architects/engineers |
Yet to catch up:The GHMC's Green Channel initiative promising building permissions within four days has evoked cautious response from public.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) ‘Green Channel' promising automatic approval to specified building permissions within four days of submission of application launched last month has evoked a cautious response.
Approvals are based on self-undertaking by land owners and applicants have to adhere to all mandatory building norms and pay up all the required fees beforehand. Permissions will be given to constructions coming up in plots of up to 1,000 sq.mts and ground plus three floors or a height of 12 metres excluding the parking floors.
Chief City Planner G.V. Raghu said 16 applications were received so far and observed that it would take some time for the people to warm up to it. In fact, to give a fillip to the ‘Green Channel'(GC), a Rs.25,000 bank guarantee, personal undertaking by the architect/engineer concerned and even periodic compliance reports on progress of construction were removed.
These steps were taken few days after the launch following requests from the licensed technical persons (architects/engineers) as they felt that the provisions were too harsh. It was also claimed that the land owners have to be held accountable as they little say deciding on deviations if any.
Impediments
“Many felt the penal rules were harsh as it spoke of imprisonment too. In any case, the technical personnel have to take licenses from us so we have some control over them,” he said. Reasons for the slow response could be because of the recent Government move to bring constructions in plots between 300 sq.mts and 100 sq.mts under the mortgage clause has also made people apprehensive, he felt. Under the clause, 10 per cent of the built up area has to be mortgaged to the local municipal body as a guarantee against any deviation of the sanctioned plan during construction. In case of a deviation the local body can auction the mortgaged part or even demolish it.
Earlier, this clause was made applicable to only multi-storied buildings and officials testify that deviations have been controlled to a large extent due to the clause. Also, Mr. Raghu pointed out that other deterrence to use GC could be that building fee has to be paid in full in advance whereas in the usual course, builders are more used to pay 10 per cent fee to initially obtain permissions and take up to three years to pay the rest!
Under GC, applicants must get plans made by licensed technical persons registered with HMDA/ GHMC/ Council of Architecture or Engineers/Surveyors registered with GHMC to ensure conformity to Master Plan / Zoning Regulations / Building Rules and Regulations as well as various Government orders. Such plans should be submitted through these technical personnel at Citizen Service Centres (CSCs) enclosing all relevant documents and prescribed fee payment in full in the form of two DDs – one for an amount of Rs.10,000 and remaining balance amount in the form of DD in the name of Commissioner, GHMC. Permissions will be given within four clear working days pending post site inspection. TP staff has 15 days to inspect. They can cancel plans if any discrepancy is found and in case, the staff do not inspect within a stipulated time, a fine of Rs. 50 a day will be charged. GC forms are available at CSC or can be downloaded from www.ghmc.gov.in.
V.GEETANATH
