Karnataka - Bangalore

Sakrama: touts out to make money from violations

BANGALORE: Have you broken every rule in the book to construct a building on your property? Have you been spending sleepless nights over the crime and punishment?

Be warned because there are now “agents” who claim they can fix matters for you for a cough, cough, consideration.

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike came up with the Sakrama scheme to allow property owners to regularise violations of up to 50 per cent in residential buildings and 25 per cent in commercial ones.

Unscrupulous elements, who never fail to spot an opportunity, are now approaching violators with the promise that even the worst cases can be fixed.

Property owners in areas newly added such as Pai Layout, Chaitanya Layout, Akshayanagar, Ramamurthynagar, Hoysalanagar and surrounding areas in Krishnarajapuram and Mahadevapura zones of BBMP say they have been approached by such middlemen and touts over the last few days.

These touts are promising property owners their buildings can be assessed and regularised even if their violations cross the stipulated 50 per cent.

Under the Karnataka Town and Country Planning (Regularisation of Unauthorised Development or Constructions) Rules 2007, seven civic bodies in the State, including Bangalore, have embarked upon the regularisation process.

According to B.T. Naganna, a resident of Yamalur in Mahadevapura zone, who is part of a team that analysed layouts in Mahadevapura, more than 80 per cent of the independent houses and almost every single apartment are violating the building bylaws by more than 100 per cent.

“Some have even violated up to 500 per cent. Technically, every single such building will need to have a major portion of it demolished to bring it within the permissible limits. While this is the best option, it is not practical,” Mr Naganna said.

“We have touts waiting to pounce upon gullible citizens at the zonal offices itself,” said Lakshman Kumar, Convener of Bommanahalli Residents’ Welfare Association.

Mr. Naganna, along with several residents’ welfare organisations of Ramamurthynagar protested on Sunday against the BBMP for the high penalty under Sakrama. Many protesters told him about the activities of the touts, he said.

“That is why we demand that this limit of 50 per cent for residential units, which is only making way for more large-scale corruption, must be withdrawn,” he said.

Shama Rao of Ramamurthynagar Residents’ Welfare Association said the civic body should regularise all buildings irrespective of the violation percentage.

“This may not solve the civic problems in any of the areas. It will at least solve the corruption and demands for bribes,” he said. Other residents too echoed the same opinion.

BBMP Commissioner S. Subramanya said all the helpdesks set up to popularise Sakrama had a list of authorised engineers in the area. “There is corruption everywhere. I advise people not to fall prey to such elements as assessment certificates issued only by the authorised engineers are valid,” he said.

“If any BBMP officials are found to be doing that or even encouraging the touts, I will initiate disciplinary action against them,” the Commissioner added.

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