HYDERABAD: A round table on G.O. No. 86 concerning new building regulations for city held here on Tuesday was unanimous on amendments to the G.O. for bringing apartments within the reach of common and middle class people.

The meeting involving all stakeholders - buyers, builders, people's representatives - was held under the aegis of the Federation of Associations of Colonies and Apartments (FACA).

All-party meet

The meeting resolved to further discuss the issue at an all-party meeting by inviting experts, builders' representatives and submit a representation to the Government with solutions.

Initiating the discussion, Rajya Sabha member P. Madhu said that the G.O. turned out to be a serious concern for people. With several provisions like mortgage clause, impact fees, reduced built-up area per sq. yard, apartments became unaffordable.

The regulations and high fees only suit a few corporate builders, he added.

Some 80 per cent of people in city were middle class families, and unless the G.O. was amended for allowing 24 sft built-up area for a sq. yard, prices which registered a steep increase would not come down, he said.

Mr. Madhu said the real motive apparently behind the G.O. was to allow foreign direct investment, ignoring local builders who had been providing housing at affordable cost. The issue also would figure at the DDRC meeting on May 6.

Andhra Pradesh Real Estate Developers' Association president P.S. Reddy and Builders' Forum president Shekar Reddy said that in the past builders violated FAR norms but it made apartments affordable. While deterrent measures were welcome to check deviations, regulations should be amended to allow 24 sft per sq. yard irrespective of the plot size to bring down the cost.

Murali Mohan, a leading builder, arguing for amendments, said that the present G.O. would affect small builders while making cost of apartments prohibitive.

For low-income groups

On the outskirts, fees should be reduced to benefit middle class besides earmarking area for low-income groups in every venture and improving transport system from outskirts to city. Such measures would pave way for decentralisation and ease congestion in city.

CPI city council secretary G. Rama Narasimha Rao said regulations brought in by the Government would be ultimately transferred to people and the G.O. 86 would not enable common people buy apartments in future.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail