Date:04/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/04/stories/2006100417540300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Illegal layouts face action

Staff Reporter

Fresh rules in place for voluntary disclosure of such layouts

Rules to be applicable to all urban development authorities, corporations and municipalities

Only unapproved layouts with registered sale deeds existing prior to August 15 may be regularised

HYDERABAD: Conceding that the earlier efforts to seek voluntary disclosure of illegal layouts for regularisation have failed, the Government has proposed a fresh set of rules with deterrent provisions for those not taking approvals.

The `A.P. Rules for Regularisation of Unapproved and Illegal Layouts' will empower the local municipal authority to demolish buildings constructed in such layouts, stop water supply, sewerage and power connections to dwellings in these layouts and record the property in the `prohibitory register' of the Registration Department.

The rules are to be applicable to all urban development authorities, municipal corporations and municipalities with December 31, 2007, likely to be the last date for submission of forms.

Plan circulated

The Government has circulated the draft plan asking all urban bodies to give their suggestions within 15 days on the proposals.

According to the draft rules, only unapproved layouts and sub-division of plots with registered sale deeds existing prior to August 15 will be considered for regularisation.

No development activity will be allowed in beds of water bodies, for areas covered under protection of catchment areas of Osmansagar and Himayatsagar lakes and special permission is required for plots near defence units.

Layout developmental activity other than recreational use will not be allowed within 30 metres from the lakes' boundaries for those with 10 hectares and above, nine metres for less than 10 hectares and two metres from defined boundaries of a `nala'.

Procedure

Plot owners should file a declaration before the local authority in the prescribed format and affidavit along with required sets of drawings of plots, layouts with clear dimensions and roads.

Declarations filed by associations, societies, developers and others representing the unapproved layout plot owners will also be acceptable.

The local authority will scrutinise the applications with respect of the Master Plan provisions and after carrying out the necessary site inspections would intimate the fees, penalty, conversion and other charges.