Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Compulsory Disclosure Scheme could benefit BRS applicants

HYDERABAD: The just announced ‘Compulsory Disclosure Scheme’ (CDS) could turn out to be a pleasant surprise for applicants whose cases are pending under the defunct Building Regularisation Scheme (BRS) of 1997. Senior officials are mulling if “fit” cases among them can be cleared before scrutinising fresh applications.

The erstwhile MCH had received 26,029 applications under BRS a decade ago of which 12,145 were approved netting about Rs. 40 crore. About 3,585 cases were rejected while 6,925 got conditional approval from the then disposal committee.

The rest along with the penal fee already paid have been on the backburner since then. These might get a fresh lease of life now even as the high-powered committee formed to evolve modalities for CDS is to hold its first meeting on Monday. The panel headed by Sunil Sharma, Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration, is to finalise the format to regularise buildings constructed in deviation of the sanctioned plans all over the State.

A detailed booklet on the guidelines and frequently asked questions to provide precise information to the citizens is to be released.

While the CDS notification could come in a week, the information booklet is likely to be ready within a fortnight. Some sort of ‘occupation certificate’ too might be issued for cleared cases after requisite penal fee is paid, officials concerned indicated.

Officials are also clear that regularisation will not be possible for buildings on Government lands, surplus land declared under the Urban Land Ceiling Act, change of land use i.e., where a commercial building is built when permission is for residential structure, cellar violations, structures on route alignments of MRTS & BRTS.

It also means an extra illegal floor constructed or a penthouse may get regularised by paying the stiff penalty.

In the twin cities alone under GHMC limits, officials are expecting more than 50,000 applications for regularisation from slight deviations to illegal floors and penal fee could tough Rs.300 crore.

“It is a not a voluntary regularisation scheme but a one-time compulsory penalisation scheme for the entire State which might be valid for little more than six months,” explained an official.

But, will it stand legal scrutiny is the million dollar question.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu