Date:23/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/23/stories/2007032322580500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Penalty to be increased for illegal conversion of premises

Special Correspondent

New master plan to demarcate residential, commercial areas, says Minister

Trade licence to be cancelled in case of violation

Rs. 100 fine for continuing the offence

HYDERABAD: Municipal Administration Minister K. Ranga Rao has said the penalty payable by persons for unauthorised conversion of residential areas in the twin cities for commercial purposes will soon be steeply enhanced.

Replying to a question raised by Akbaruddin Owaisi (MIM) in the Assembly on Thursday, the Minister said the civic body now could collect a fine of only Rs 5,000 for any such illegal conversion under the existing law and Rs.100 a day for continuance of the offence.

The trade licence also could be cancelled. Mr Owaisi complained that the present fine was too meagre.

Commercial areas

The Minister said a new master plan for Hyderabad and its neighbourhood was under preparation, indicating residential, commercial, public, semi-public, industrial and recreational zones clearly.

For now, the areas marked for commercial use include Afzalgunj, Abids, Nampalli and Sultan Bazar in Hyderabad and Rashtrapathi Road, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Station Road and General Bazar in Secunderabad. Margins of 61 other roads had also been marked for commercial use.

HUDA proposal

Mr. Rao said Fateh Madain Road and Road No. 36 of Jubilee Hills were also marked for commercial use recently.

A decision would be taken shortly on a proposal of HUDA to for conversion of Shyamkaran Road at Ameerpet, Road No. 14 of Banjara Hills and the link road connecting Road No. 10 and Road No. 11.