THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) will designate a special team to detect violation of building rules at prime tourist destinations in the State.

Department sources told The Hindu that the special team would mainly look into the procedural lapses in issuing building permits. Panchayat Director Eapen Francis who was deputed by the department to scrutinise the permits issued in Munnar reported 32 cases in which violation of the Kerala Municipal Building Rules (KMBR) were detected since 2003.

Permits were liberally issued to construct residential and commercial buildings. On the basis of the inspection report, the department decided to constitute a special team to look into similar cases all over the State.

The team comprising officials of both the departments would be headed by Mr. Francis and Chief Town Planner Eapen Varughese.

Punitive measures

They would initially examine the permits issued in Devikulam taluk so that cases of violation in tourist destinations like Vagamon and Elappara also could be detected.

By designating the heads of the Panchayat as well as the Town and Country Planning departments to check the irregularities, the LSGD hoped to expedite punitive measures against those who flouted the norms, sources said.

The Government had enforced building rules in Munnar and Devikulam panchayats, but it had not been implemented in Pallivasal and Chinnakanal. On noticing breach of rules in the panchayats where the rules were in force, the Government took disciplinary action against the panchayat secretary who issued the permits since 2003.

Following complaints about rampant violations in the absence of specific guidelines, the department recently ordered introduction of building rules in all panchayats.

Report at the earliest

While Mr. Francis would be examining the breach of rules, Mr. Varughese would look into the technical aspects such as contravention of floor area ratio (FAR) and setback norms as well as the parking space provided in the buildings.

The team would be completing the inspection in a time-bound manner and submitting a detailed report to the department at the earliest.

The team would also be inspecting the construction permits issued in other tourist destinations.

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