The Hindu : Front Page : Unauthorised commercial buildings sealed

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Sunday, Jan 11, 2009
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Unauthorised commercial buildings sealed

A.Srivathsan

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation has ordered sealing of an unauthorised commercial building each at Kolathur and T. Nagar, in the first such action following the amendment to the Town and Country Planning Act.

Until now, local authorities did not have powers to take such action. They could only issue stop-work notice and follow it with demolition notice.

In spite of the notices, unauthorised construction could continue at site till the issue had been resolved either through a court or government order.

As per the amended rules, when a notice is issued to remove unauthorised construction, it has to be carried out. When it is not done so or if the building continues to be used, the premises can be locked and sealed.

The sealing can be carried out irrespective of whether the owner’s appeal against the notice either with the government or in the Court of law is settled or pending.

The Act has made it clear that “no injunction shall be granted by any court” against notices issued by the appropriate authority to remove unauthorised construction and discontinue its use.

The government sources say that sealing the building premises will be an effective deterrent and will curb building violations.

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