Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

HMDA to empanel advocates, retired officials

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is proposing to empanel retired revenue officials and advocates for document verification as part of Green Channel, a new facility to be launched soon for speedy approval of layouts.

The decision to adopt the Green Channel concept was taken at a recent meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. As part of this, it was decided that the new channel will provide speedy approval of building permissions and layouts and cases pertaining to non-multi storied buildings to be cleared in six working days at a special fee.

Since fast track clearance is involved, the body looks at exercising ‘abundant caution’ in verification of documents produced by applicants in support of their claim of ownership and interest in a given land. The HMDA is now setting up a panel of authorised document auditors to assist the Green Channel in scrutiny of the documents, certificates and judgement copies presented by applicants.

Retired revenue officials and advocates who are conversant with land laws in the State are sought to take up the processing work as authorised document auditors.

The empanelled document auditors will be eligible for an audit fee to be paid by applicants wishing to avail the Green Channel for layout approvals. The amount of fee is to be notified by the HMDA.

According to officials, the empanelment will be for a period of one year and renewed based on performance appraisal.

The selected document auditors are expected to maintain a record of the business they transact and payments received and submit the annual return to the HMDA for evaluation. Though the metropolitan development authority has set January 17 as the last date for those interested in joining the panel, the official say the date is likely to be extended further.

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