Regularisation scheme: MLAs adopt wait and watch policy

By Ashwathi Verghese

CHENNAI, MAY 24. The withdrawal of the court case by the real estate lobby could be a pre-requisite for the proposed meeting with the Chief Minister to sort out problems relating to the regularisation scheme, according to sources.

Promoters have obtained a stay from the High Court contending the rates under the various categories for building with violations/ unauthorised was too high.

The Transport Minister and CMDA chairman, Mr. K. Ponmudi, had recently announced in the Assembly that a meeting of aggrieved representatives of property owners, promoters along with Opposition leaders would be held soon. The proposed consultation across the political spectrum would be held to thrash out the problems relating to the scheme. The issue had drawn a flak from Opposition members as they argued that the penalty amount was fixed arbitrarily.

Though no dates have been announced by the State Government on the promised meeting yet, MLAs are adopting a wait and watch policy on the issue. Some politicians are in a predicament about participating in the discussions as it could be seen as a pitfall in the long-term.

However, nearly everyone has advocated reducing the rates substantially particularly for residential buildings, as much as 25 per cent. Some quarters have even recommended reducing the rates by half for commercial establishments as well, in spite of the profit motive. This would finally depend on how the promoters are able to persuade the administration to their way of thinking.

Officials, on their part, admit that the rates are rather high but point out that it should be considered as a punishment rather than an encouragement for violating in the future.

Though the rates have been disparaged by most sections, one distressing factor of the scheme has been the lack of responsibility of promoters, except the argument that rates are high. Under the scheme, the responsibility of paying up the penalty amount is squarely on the owner with the builder getting away scotfree. A Bill aimed at fixing responsibility of promoters is yet to be passed. Officials feel that only when builders are brought to book, will there be a level - playingfield where the consumer is respected.

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Section  : Southern States
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