The Hindu   27.08.2012

Illegal constructions on the rise

Despite the threat of demolitions and making drinking water connections linked to the mandatory occupancy certificates, the GHMC is confronted with increasing instances of brazen unauthorised constructions in different parts of the twin cities.

These constructions are happening because of either the local leaders colluding with the field staff or by simply threatening the supervisory town planning staff in the circles and getting away especially at the circle-level, admit senior officials.

“Rampant illegal constructions have been on the rise in the last couple of years. We are unable to keep a check on them with staff shortage being a prime reason,” they say.

Such is the deficiency at the ground level that lower level officials are merely being moved from one circle to another even when facing serious charges. A proposal to strengthen the regulatory framework of the town planning wing continues to do the rounds with the upper echelons of the government.

As a stop-gap arrangement in the meantime, senior officials are mulling to go for formation of multi-sector teams with members drawn from the other wings of the municipal corporation at the circle-level to keep a watch on the unauthorised constructions and also take action.

Critics, however, point out that it is lack of taking any decisive action against unauthorised constructions despite having adequate powers which has led to the present state.

Senior officials are now promising to take penal action with regard to buildings which have not taken the occupancy certificates ever since the common building rules came into force in 2007.

While there could be hundreds of buildings given permission in the last five years, a survey is currently on to identify whether these constructions have taken the OCs. And, also whether they have illegally converted buildings permitted for residential usage to commercial activities or if extra unauthorised floors were built.

Property tax

Anywhere between 50 and 100 such buildings are being identified in each circle by the month-end to be followed up by penal action such as sealing or demolish them. Two hundred per cent property tax against such buildings is another weapon to be unleashed.

“We are not going to bother about minor deviations but we intend to send a tough message against illegal usage conversion and extra floors,” say senior officials.

•  ‘Lack of decisive action against these constructions has led to the present state’
• Officials now promise to take penal action against buildings that have not taken OC since 2007