Trouble awaits officials of the Kochi Corporation who aided unauthorised constructions in the city.

Rejecting
a report prepared by the Kochi Corporation absolving its officials and
blaming the builders for violation of building laws, the State
government has sought a “precise and clear” report from the civic body.
The government has sought detailed information on violations and the
particulars of officials involved in the deals.

It
was earlier reported in these columns that the corporation had drawn up a
list of 21 officials who had issued permits and other certificates to
34 buildings, which were constructed in violation of the Kerala
Municipal Building Rules and other laws.

The blatant
violation of building rules was exposed by the Vigilance Wing of the
Senior Town Planner’s Office. The State government had sought the views
of the civic body following the vigilance investigation.

‘Vague report’

Manjalamkuzhi
Ali, Minister for Urban Affairs, said the “Kochi Corporation’s report
was rejected as it was a vague one.” “The file has been returned to the
civic body asking for specific details of violations and the officials
responsible for allowing such violations in the city. Responsibility has
to be specifically fixed on erring officials,” Mr. Ali said.

Many
instances of violation of buildings rules were detected across the
State in the vigilance investigation. The government is looking for
specific information on violations to act against the offenders, he
said.

Though an amnesty scheme was announced three
years ago to regularise illegal constructions in the State, hardly 20
per cent of the violations were regularised. It should be with the
support of the officials that the unauthorised constructions are evading
action, which needs to be checked, he said.

According
to vigilance officials, the corporation officials who issued occupancy
certificates for buildings which were constructed violating the rules
would be held responsible for their illegal act.

The
argument that the builders are responsible for violations does not hold
water as it is the liability of the corporation officials to verify
whether the structure was constructed according to the approved plan.

Occupancy
certificates should be issued to buildings only when they are completed
as per the approved plan and observing all mandatory regulations.

The
serious violations of building rules include construction of the
structure above the permitted floor area ratio, shortage of open space
in front of the buildings and setback space on four sides of the
buildings. Tough action will be initiated in cases involving serious
violations, he said.