The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Corporation ends up in CDS dilemma

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Wednesday, Jun 25, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Corporation ends up in CDS dilemma

Special Correspondent

Scores of illegal constructions come up cashing in on extension

December 15, 2007 is the cut-off date to be eligible for regularisation
More than 5,000 illegal constructions come up after cut-off date

HYDERABAD: Having woken up to increasing illegal constructions in all its 18 circles in the last few months, the GHMC took up demolitions in 39 buildings, a majority of them in the suburbs on Tuesday. The drive is to continue for the entire week.

It’s only part of a big issue confronting the civic body. While thrilled with Rs. 300 crore from penal fee payments under the ongoing Compulsory Disclosure Scheme (CDS) to regularise illegal buildings and layouts with over 1.30 lakh applications, officials are dreading the prospect of more extensions.

Taking advantage of the scheme getting extended over the last six months, scores of illegal constructions have been taking place right under the nose of planning officials. Though CDS clearly stipulates December 15, 2007 as the cut-off date to be eligible for regularisation (also cleared by the High Court), the constructions have been unabated.

“We estimate that more than 5,000 illegal constructions have come up during this period. None of these can be regularised and it will only get worse if the scheme gets extended any further,” was the candid confession of a senior official. His apprehension is not out of place considering the corporation’s pathetic record in controlling illegal constructions. Ever since CDS came into being on January 1 this year, notices were issued to 1.34 lakh structures and of them, 1.10 lakh filed for CDS while action was taken against 17 structures.

Since, GHMC is barred from scrutinising regularisation applications, it is in no position to fathom if some of the illegal constructions are eligible for regularisation under CDS or not.

The rush for construction is because penal fees are pretty low compared to the normal building permit and other fees. The last date of August 30 for regularisation for structures in surplus land declared under Urban Land Ceiling Act set by the government is another headache for GHMC as it is praying for CDS to end by the month end. Or, will it?

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